By: Dr Ameya Tripathi, Associate Editor-ICN
LUCKNOW: Organ donation day is observed on August 13 every year. Today is trying to motivate people to donate their healthy and valuable organs after death to save lives. There is a large number of populations that die due to organ failure in India. As per the National Health Portal, 500,000 people died due to the unavailability of organs. Organ donation day also tries to spread information and make people aware of organ donation. He tried to dispel the myths and fears that were in people’s minds about organ donations. Organ donation can change the lives of many people. This practice can provide new life for those who need it.
Organ Donation Day 2019: Importance
Organ donation is a gift of life. A donor can start to donate organs such as the heart, liver, intestines, kidneys, lungs and pancreas after his death. Later these organs can be transplanted to others who are very much needed. According to national guidelines, anyone can be an organ donor regardless of age, caste, religion, and community. Organ donation day urges people from all communities to come forward and donate organs to save precious lives.
Organ donation day seeks to dispel myths about organ donation
Organ donation can provide new life for someone in need
Many vital organs that can be donated can save a person’s life
Organ donation day is observed on August 13 every year. Today is trying to motivate people to donate their healthy and valuable organs after death to save lives. There is a large number of populations that die due to organ failure in India. As per the National Health Portal, 500,000 people died due to the unavailability of organs. Organ donation day also tries to spread information and make people aware of organ donation. He tried to dispel the myths and fears that were in people’s minds about organ donations. Organ donation can change the lives of many people. This practice can provide new life for those who need it.
Organ Donation Day 2019: Importance
Organ donation is a gift of life. A donor can start to donate organs such as the heart, liver, intestines, kidneys, lungs and pancreas after his death. Later these organs can be transplanted to others who are very much needed. According to national guidelines, anyone can be an organ donor regardless of age, caste, religion, and community. Organ donation day urges people from all communities to come forward and donate organs to save precious lives. Proper medical examination is needed before organ donation to check whether the patient is healthy enough to be donated or not. Other serious health conditions such as cancer, HIV AIDS are considered serious.
Organ donation is when someone allows transplanted organs and tissues to be removed, either after death or when alive, and transplanted to another person. Common transplants include: kidney, heart, liver, pancreas, intestine, lungs, bones, bone marrow, skin, and cornea. There are many myths about organ donation. Let’s find out the truth.
- Myth: Donation of organs and tissues damage the body.
Fact: Donated organs are removed surgically, which does not damage the body. The donor’s body is dressed for cremation, so no signs of donations are visible. After eye donation, artificial eyes are inserted, eyelids closed, and no one can see the difference. After bone donation, the stem is inserted into where the bone has been removed. With skin donation, a very thin layer of skin similar to sunburned skin is taken from the donor’s back.
- Myth: Religion prohibits organ donation.
Fact: Most religious beliefs allow organ donation or leave it to individual discretion. If you are not sure about your religious position, explain this from your religious leader. No religion objected to donations and organ transplants. On the contrary, religion supports the act of giving and what form of giving is greater than giving life.
- Myth: Donor families are charged for donating organs.
Fact: Donor families are never charged for donating organs. If a family believes that the bill is wrong, he should immediately contact the local organ procurement organization and fix the problem.
- Myth: Anyone can be an organ donor.
Fact: Surgeons remove organs from patients with strong and still beating hearts. Surgeons do not want vital organs from donors that actually die and whose hearts stop beating. Some medical conditions automatically disqualify one from donating an organ. The decision to use organs is based on strict medical criteria. It may turn out that certain organs are not suitable for transplantation, while other organs are fine. At the time of death, only medical professionals can determine whether the prospective organ is suitable for transplantation. Some diseases that rule out donations include active cancer, active HIV or active infections. For someone with a history of hepatitis, more information will be needed at the time of death. People with Hepatitis C can still donate organs to patients who also suffer from Hepatitis C.
- Myth: I am under 18 years old. I am too young to make this decision.
Fact: That’s true, legally. But your parents can endorse this decision. You can convey to your parents your desire to contribute, and your parents can give their consent knowing that that is what you want. Children also need organ transplants, and they usually need smaller organs than those given by adults. No age limit is specified. Organs have been successfully transplanted from donors in their 70s and 80s. At the time of death, only the doctor can decide whether the organ is suitable for transplantation.
- Myth: Only the heart, liver and kidneys can be donated.
Fact: Other organs such as the pancreas, lungs, small and large intestine, and stomach can also be grafted. In addition, tissues such as skin, bones, heart valves, and tendons can also be donated.
7. Myth: If ICU doctors know I’m an organ donor, they won’t work hard to save me.
Fact: If you are hospitalized – sick or injured, the priority is to save your life. Organ donation can only be considered after brain death occurs. In addition, the medical team that treats you is different from the transplant team.
- Myth: What if I recover from brain death?
Fact: This does not happen. The standard for determining whether a person is brain dead is very strict and people who have agreed to donate their organs are given additional tests to ensure that they really die.
- Myth: While waiting for a transplant, the rich and famous get priority.
Fact: What’s important is the severity of the disease, the time spent waiting
Dr Ameya Tripathi is celebrated dental surgeon, social worker, writer, dental implantologist working at Rama Dental Clinic & Implant center Mahanagar Lucknow and Gomti Nagar Lucknow as its director. His works can be visited at www.ramamdentalclinic.com
