New Delhi | 22nd March 2022: To raise awareness around organ donation, Manipal Hospital Dwarka organised an organ donation awareness session today with Mr. Anil Srivatsa, a living donor and founder of the Gift of Life Adventure Foundation (GOLA) on the significance of saving lives with organ donation. According to the World Health Organization, only around 0.01% of people in India donate their organs. Some of the reasons behind such poor performance are a lack of public awareness, religious or superstitious beliefs, and strict laws.
During the session, Anil Srivatsa, Managing Trustee, Gift of Life Adventure Foundation said, “Donating an organ can help save a life. I believe that everyone has a chance to save that life. Humans helping each other is an act of love that needs to be recognized internally.”
Addressing the families of the patients awaiting liver and kidney transplantation Dr. (Col) Avnish Seth VSM, Head of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Manipal Organ Sharing & Transplant at HCMCT Manipal Hospital, Dwarka said, “India currently has the finest expertise and outcomes for living donor kidney and liver transplant in the world. However, transplantation of the heart, lungs, pancreas, and small intestine is possible only with organ donation after brain death. Deceased organ donation gives hope to thousands of individuals, especially to those who cannot find a suitable near-relative as living donor.”
He urged everyone present to pledge to donate their organs and to discuss their wish with the family.