During the 13th Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) ceremony, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, emphasized the profound act of giving life to another person through organ donation. The event, attended by Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar and Prof S P Singh Baghel, Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, along with Shri Ma Subramanian, Minister of Health, Tamil Nadu, aimed to honor and appreciate deceased donor families for their courageous decision to donate organs of their loved ones. The ceremony also sought to raise awareness about deceased organ donation and recognize the significant contributions made by medical professionals involved in the field of organ donation and transplantation through awards.
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- During his address at the ceremony, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the importance of acknowledging and valuing the efforts of all individuals involved in organ donation.
- He highlighted the remarkable progress in the field, noting that in 2013, approximately 5000 people came forward to donate their organs, whereas now the number has increased to over 15,000 organ donors annually.
- This significant growth reflects the growing awareness and willingness of people to contribute to this noble cause of saving lives through organ donation.
- The Minister praised the immense contributions of organ donors, their families, and members of civil society, acknowledging their motivation and dedication.
- He urged organ recipients to play an active role in promoting this noble cause and encourage others to also come forward and donate their organs for the betterment of humanity.
- By working together, the nation can make significant strides in saving lives and fostering a culture of organ donation for the service of mankind.
Steps Taken by the Government
- Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the various steps taken by the Union Government to boost organ donations in the country.
- These initiatives include increasing the leave duration for organ donors from 30 days to 60 days, removing age limitations of 65 years, and streamlining the organ donation process.
- He expressed the government’s commitment to introducing more policies and reforms to promote organ donation across the nation.
During the event, the Union Health Minister honored and praised different people and groups who have played vital roles in organ donation and transplantation. The donor families, transplant experts, coordinators, athletes of the World Transplant Games, and teams from MyGov, MoCA, Delhi Police, and Indigo Airlines were all recognized and appreciated for their contributions and efforts.
NOTTO
During the event, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) released an e-newsletter, Transplant Manual, and National Curriculum for the Transplant Coordinator Course. To access information on organ donation and transplantation, individuals can visit NOTTO’s website or call the toll-free helpline number 180114770.
eCARe Portal
The eCARe (e-clearance of afterlife remains) Portal is a new initiative launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
- When someone passes away in another country, it can be a challenging process for their family and friends to bring their mortal remains back to India due to paperwork and procedures.
- To address this issue and make the process smoother, the eCARe portal has been introduced.
- This portal aims to streamline and expedite the transportation of human remains to India from different countries.
- By embracing the principle of minimum government and maximum governance, the portal seeks to provide support and assistance to families during their difficult times.
Haemophilia A and von Willebrand Disease Diagnostic Kits
The ICMR-National Institute of Immunohematology (ICMR-NIIH), Mumbai, has achieved a significant milestone by developing the world’s first ‘Make in India’ diagnostic kit for Haemophilia A and von Willebrand Disease.
- These two are the most common lifelong inherited bleeding disorders.
- People affected by these conditions may experience bleeding into the joints, leading to swelling and pain, as well as bleeding into the skin or muscles, causing bruising and soft tissue bleeding.
- The newly developed diagnostic kit is expected to bring a transformative change to the diagnostic landscape of bleeding disorders, not only in our country but also in several other developing nations where access to advanced diagnostic facilities is limited.
- With this innovative kit, a timely and accurate diagnosis of Haemophilia A and von Willebrand Disease can be made, leading to better management and treatment for those affected by these conditions.
- This breakthrough in medical technology is a significant step towards improving healthcare and enhancing the quality of life for people with bleeding disorders worldwide.
About Indian Organ Donation Day
- Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) is an annual observance since 2010 aimed at raising awareness about brain stem death and organ donation. The goal is to dispel myths, encourage organ donation, and promote healthy lifestyles.
- This year, as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, an awareness campaign called “Angdaan Mahotsav” has been launched, spanning across the country with the involvement of various stakeholders.
- During Organ Donation Month in July 2023, several activities have been organized, including webinars, cyclothons, walkathons, organ donation pledges, and a national slogan competition through MyGov.
- The campaign emphasizes that every donated organ is a precious resource that can save lives.
- A deceased person can give new life to up to 8 people by donating vital organs such as the kidney, liver, lung, heart, pancreas, and intestine, while also improving the quality of life for many more through tissue donation like cornea, skin, bone, and heart valve.
The 13th IODD serves as an opportunity to motivate people to donate organs and bridge the gap between the number of people in need of transplants and the availability of donors. People are encouraged to pledge to this noble cause and contribute to this national endeavor, as every donation can make a significant difference in the lives of those in need.
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