PGIMER Chandigarh closed the year with an impressive 44 cadaver organ donations in the year 2017, up from 27 in 2016 and 26 in the year 2015.
On December 29, the generous gesture of a brave-heart family from Nabha, Punjab to consent for organ donation of their dear one thereby, giving a ‘gift of life’ to two chronic patients and ‘gift of sight’ to another two, helped the cause of the premier medical institute.
The total number of major organs donated during 2017 was 107 while this number was 64 in 2016 and 70 in 2015. Kidneys were the most widely donated organ.
The other major organs harvested from deceased persons included liver, heart and pancreas. For the first time, transplant of lungs was also conducted during 2017. The cornea transplantation programme was also equally robust with 456 people getting their sight restored during the year 2017, as against 436 in 2016 and 393 in 2015.
All these initiatives culminated into PGIMER being adjudged as the best hospital in public sector for its services in cadaveric organ donation by Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India for the year 2017, second time in a row.
Expressing his sentiments and paying tribute to the donor families, Prof. Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER, said, ”The cadaver organ donation program, in fact, hinges on the benevolent donor families. Their magnanimous and unconditional consent for organ donation of their departed dear one amid their own grief, actually, have enabled PGIMER sustain and pace up the cadaver organ transplant programme."
The PGIMER team involved in translating this noble wish of the donor
family into reality by giving a second lease of life to the terminally ill patients also deserve a huge commendation.
It is their tireless and incessant efforts that have helped
saving hundreds of precious lives over the years through transplantation, added Prof. Jagat Ram..
“The extensive media reports and massive awareness programmes have contributed immensely to spread the awareness on the importance of organ donation. With over 700 stories in 2017 alone, media has played a catalytic role in mainstreaming the cause” said Prof. A. K. Gupta, Medical Superintendent –cum- Head, Deptt. of Hospital Administration, PGIMER.
Tracing the journey of ROTTO, Dr. Vipin Koushal, Nodal Officer, ROTTO PGIMER said, “It was in 2016 that PGIMER was designated as Regional Organ &
Tissue Transplant Organization (ROTTO) under the aegis of National Organ & Tissue Transplant Program to promote cadaver organ
donation in Northern region. Since inception in March,2016, with over 200 awareness events collaborating with 58 odd NGOs, CBOs, enterprises and educational institutions, 17 advocacy meets with medical professionals, 14 green corridors, over 7000 registering as willing cadaver donors panning Chandigarh and adjoining states and 2 national awards, ROTTO has been in a position to garner enough traction for the cause.”
Though this is going at a good pace but considering the burgeoning gap between donations and dire need, the road ahead is really challenging and engagement by one and all for the cause may provide the answer,” remarked Dr. Koushal.