PGIMER experts call for creating awareness about organ donation

CHANDIGARH: Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO), Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), celebrated World Organ Donation Day on Thursday.

ROTTO collaborated with PGI Nurses Welfare Association and launched a week-long social media campaign to motivate people to pledge for organ donation. A poster-making competition was also held with the objective to garner traction for the cause.

‘COLLECTIVE EFFORT IS IMPORTANT’

Speaking about the need for public education, Vipin Koushal, additional medical superintendent and nodal officer, Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation, said, “Over the last few years, the increase in number of organ donors has been steady in PGIMER. Increased awareness has definitely been an enabling factor along with collective effort by departments concerned.”

“Till date, organs transplanted and shared by PGIMER with other hospitals include kidneys 4,155 (live 3,731; cadaver 424); livers 76 (52 transplanted here and 24 shared with other hospitals) hearts 16 (six transplanted here and 10 shared with other hospitals); pancreas 25 and corneas 8,037,” Koushal said.

“There is a long way to go and public education is necessary to bridge the gap between patients who need organs and potential donors. Everyone must work together for the cause” he added.

ORGANS SHARED AND TRANSPLANTED BY PGI WITH OTHER HOSPITALS SO FAR INCLUDE 4,155 KIDNEYS, 76 LIVERS, 16 HEARTS, 25 PANCREASES AND 8,037 CORNEAS; WEEK-LONG CAMPAIGN STARTED TO ENCOURAGE ORGAN DONATIONS