Hospital Organ Donation Registry, a center for the country, has been set up at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, with a purpose of encouraging organ donations, fair and equitable distribution and optimum utilization of human organs. This registry is maintaining the waiting list of terminally ill patients requiring transplants, donor registration, matching of recipients with donor, co-ordination from procurement of organs to transplantation, dissemination of information to all concerned hospitals, organizations and individuals, creating awareness, promotion of organ donation and transplantation activities.
Life is too precious to be lost to an organ failure. But millions have lost their lives when a vital organ failed to function in their body. The fact is, medical advances in the field of transplant immunology, surgical management and organ preservation have made the transplantation of vital organs possible. Thus providing a viable approach to the management of diseases that cause irreversible organ failure. So, all you need to know and do is pledge for donation and help precious lives from being lost before their time.
ABOUT ORGAN DONATION What is organ donation?
It means that a person pledges during his lifetime that after death, organs from his/her body can be used for transplantation to help terminally ill patients and giving them a new lease of life.
There are two ways of Organ donation:
Living related donors: only immediate blood relations (brother, sister, parents & children) can donate as per the Transplantation of Human Organ Act 1994. Living donor can donate only few organs, one kidney (as one kidney is capable of maintaining the body functions), a portion of pancreas (as half of the pancreas is adequate for sustaining pancreatic functions) and part of the liver (as the few segments that are donated will regenerate after a period of time) can be donated.
Cadaver Organ donor: can donate all organs after brain death.
The major donor organs and tissues are heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, eyes, heart valves, skin, bones, bone marrow, connective tissues, middle ear, and blood vessels. Therefore one donor can possibly give gift of life to many terminally ill patients who would not survive otherwise.
It is the irreversible and permanent cessation of all brain functions. Brain can no longer send messages to the body to perform vital functions like breathing, sensation, obeying commands etc. Such persons are kept on artificial support (ventilation) to maintain oxygenation of organs so that the organs are in healthy condition until they are removed. Most cases of brain death are the end result of head injuries, brain tumours patients from Intensive care units. Organs of such patients can be transplanted in organ failure patients to provide them a new lease of life.
Healthy organs should be transplanted as soon as possible after brain death from the donor to the recipient.
Who can be a Donor?
Anyone, regardless of age, race or gender can become an organ and tissue donor. If he/she is under the age of 18 years, then the consent of parent or legal guardian is essential. Medical suitability for donation is determined at the time of death
Who can give consent for organ donation after brain death?
Donors who have during their lifetime consented for organ donation in writing in the presence of two witnesses (at least one of whom is a near relative), should carry their donor cards with them and also express their wishes to their near and dear ones. In case of no such consent or donor pledge form was filled before death, then the authority to give consent for organ donation lies with the person lawfully in possession of the dead body.
Here are some terminal diseases which can be cured by the transplantation:
1 | Heart | Lungs | Kidneys | Liver | Pancreas | Eyes | Heart valve | Skin |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | Heart failure | Terminal lung illnesses | Kidney failure | Liver failure | Diabetes | Blindness | valvular disease | Severe burns |
Your vital organs will be transplanted into those individuals who need them most urgently. Gifts of life (Organs) are matched to recipients on the basis of medical suitability, urgency of transplant, duration on the waiting list and geographical location.
No, there is no charge nor payment for organ/tissues used in transplantations. Organ donation is a true gift
No. The removal or organs or tissues will not interfere with customary funeral or burial arrangements. The appearance of the body is not altered. A highly skilled surgical transplant team removes the organs and tissues, which can be transplanted in other patients. Surgeons stitch up the body carefully, hence no disfigurement occurs. The body can be viewed as in any case of death and funeral arrangements need not be delayed.
Will the doctor ask permission of donation from my family, once the signed donor card is found Yes. Doctor will always ask the permission of organ donation from the family if your signed card is sighted. Therefore, it is important that you discuss your decision with family members and loved ones so that it will be easier for them to follow through with your wishes
What is legal position on organs donations?
It is legal by law. The government of India has enacted the "transplantation of human organs act 1994" in Feb. 1995, which has allowed organ donation and legalised brain death.
No. It can only be removed when a person is brain dead in the hospital and is immediately put on a ventilator and other life support systems. After death at home, only eyes and tissues can be removed.
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi 110060, INDIA