AIIMS Doctors Advocate Positive Attitude Towards Organ Donations

AIIMS Doctors Advocate Positive Attitude Towards Organ Donations

New Delhi: The Organ Retrieval Banking Organisation (ORBO) at AIIMS New Delhi held a "Donor Felicitation Programme" to honor the contributions of organ and tissue donors. This event underscored the urgent need for organ donations and the importance of fostering a positive societal attitude towards organ and tissue donations.

Key Highlights:

  • Tribute to Donors: Professor Kaushal Kumar Verma, Head of Dermatology and Venereology at AIIMS, emphasized the critical need for organ donations due to the high number of patients suffering from end-stage organ failure. He called for dispelling myths and fears about organ donation and expressed gratitude to the donors and their families for their life-saving contributions.
  • Emotional Event: The ceremony was a deeply emotional occasion for both donor families and transplant recipients. The grandparents of a 2.5-year-old heart donor were among those present, sharing their story to encourage other families to support organ donation.
  • Awareness Campaigns: ORBO has conducted mass organ and tissue pledging campaigns and awareness activities among the public and medical professionals. Collaborations with organizations like the BSF have led to numerous pledges for organ and tissue donation. Additionally, ORBO organized competitions such as poster making and pebble painting to educate school students about the importance of organ donation.
  • Public Engagement: A mime performance was held to raise public awareness about organ and tissue donation. The event was attended by AIIMS senior faculty members, Dean (Research) Prof. J.S. Titiyal, and Addl. DCP (South) IPS Achin Garg, among others.
  • Extensive Coordination: Prof. Aarti Vij, Head of ORBO, highlighted the extensive coordination required for successful organ retrieval and transplantation. This involves multiple stakeholders, including donor families, transplant coordinators, physicians, support staff, forensic departments, blood banks, laboratories, and police. She recognized and appreciated the efforts of volunteers, NGOs, organizations, media, and the broader community in advocating for organ donation.
  • Training Initiatives: In 2024, ORBO trained 300 resident doctors and 435 nursing officers. Transplant Coordinator Balram emphasized the importance of providing emotional support to donor families during grief counseling, which helps build trust and confidence in the transplantation process.

AIIMS Transplantation Services: AIIMS provides a wide range of transplantation services, including heart, lung, kidney, liver, pancreas, cornea, and heart valve transplants. ORBO conducts mass awareness drives and develops guidelines and SOPs through national consultations and workshops. Regular training and orientation programs for resident doctors, critical care nurses, transplant coordinators, grief counselors, social workers, and Delhi police officers are also part of ORBO's initiatives.