World organ donation day is observed every year on 13th of August to raise awareness about the noble organ donation which can save many lives. While a lot of awareness drives are being run, there is still an acute shortage of organs. This world organ donation day, we spoke to Dr Ankur Garg- HOD & Sr. Consultant, HPB Surgery & Liver Transplant at Sanar International Hospitals, Gurgaon about the current scenario of organ donation and transplantation in India.

1) Why is organ donation a neglected aspect of healthcare?

Dr Garg answers, organ donation in India has always been a neglected part of healthcare. There has never been enough initiative or awareness drives either by the government bodies or private healthcare partners. Secondly at a society level we are largely ignorant about the concept and to add to it religious myths and dogmas. Also the major healthcare institutions providing organ transplant services are private health care providers and we as society have lots of doubts which are not true. So I feel we should first be totally aware and informed about it before putting forward our doubts and myths.

2) What are the potential reasons behind organ shortages in India?

A major part of this is attributable to lack of awareness and knowledge about the concept of brain death and organ donation, shares Dr Garg. Also, there are not enough efforts to spread the same across communities.

Also Read: Overcoming Cultural And Religious Misconceptions About Organ Donation

3) What organs are most transplanted and most short on?

Dr Garg answers that kidney and liver are one of the most common organs transplanted with kidney topping the list. Apart from it heart, lungs, pancreas and small intestine are transplanted as well. Shortage of kidney as an organ available for transplant can be made from the fact that millions of people are dialysis dependent years on years. As there is no technology available yet to replace the functions of the liver the data around this is not as accurate but again millions of people are in need of a liver as well.

4) How to urge people to come forward for organ donation?

As donation is a voluntary process, the only way we can urge is to have more awareness drives and spread it around with the help and support of the media industry.

Also Read: 7 Myths And Misunderstanding About Organ Donation You Should Know

5) What support is required from the government?

Government can take a lot of steps, the most basic one being introducing a small chapter of 4-5 pages about organ donation and brain death in schools and colleges. It’s not going to harm anyone. More public messages and communications from the government as it authenticates the same. As a lot of brain stem deaths happen due to road traffic accidents, so at the time of applying for a driving licence, the same can be incorporated as a small logo on it whether one wishes to be an organ donor or not in such eventuality. Also this area is a very important one for spreading awareness around.   

Concluding this, we all need to show support for organ donation in order to save as many lives as possible. While there are religious and spiritual sentiments involved, we must put humanity before everything else.