In a proposal to create awareness about the importance of organ donation and also bust the myths associated with it, the woman doctors wing of the Indian Medical Association (WDW-IMA) has decided to partner with government and corporate hospitals across the state to set up a counseling cell in each hospital and convince relatives of brain dead patients to donate the latters organs.

WDW-IMAs national chairperson Mona Desai said while speaking about this initiative that the lack of organs leads to losing lives of many people and these deaths can be avoidable. Gujarat used to lead in organ donation, but now is ranking fifth at the national level. Hence, it isnecessary to sensitize more people on the importance of organ donation and bust the myths surrounding it.

Desai also told DNA, that WDW-IMA is organizing awareness lectures in schools, colleges, and universities across the state to prepare the youth on the subject. Subsequently, it will collaborate with state-run and corporate hospitals to start a counseling cell to convince relatives of brain dead patients to donate the latters organs. She said a team of 4-5 women doctors will be deployed for each hospital to create awareness among people for organ donation.Generally, hospitals have a transplant coordinator for such purpose, but when women doctors explain the subject to patient relatives, it can have a different impact on them. They will not only bust the myths, but will take care of the emotional aspects of patients relatives in a better way.

In India, there is a huge gap in the requirement and availability of organ donation. Almost 1.5 lakh people in India need a kidney, but only 3,000 receive one. Indias annual liver transplant requirement is 25,000, but only 800 undergo transplant and 90% of people are in the waiting list for organ transplant. Many of them die due to lack of organs.

According to the in-charge director of Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre, Vineet Mishra, the lack of awareness and the myths associated with organ donation are two major factors for the low organ donation figures in India. In spite of the large population, Indias organ donation rate is one of the lowest in the world, only 0.8 per 10 lakh people opting for organ donation.

WDW-IMA is organizing awareness lectures in schools, colleges, and universities across the state to inform youth on this subject. Later, it will collaborate with hospitals to start a counseling cell to convince relatives of brain dead patients to donate the latter’s organs.