Nearly 1,50,000 patients need kidney transplant every year but only around 3000 transplants are carried out as there are not enough willing donors. With the passing of the Transplant of Human Organs Act 1994, the concept of cadaver organ donation i.e. retrieval of organs from ‘brain-dead’ persons has become legal, but inspite of that, hardly any cadaver organ donation takes place,” said Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh, Chief Transplant Surgeon, Professor of Urology at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital on Saturday.

He explained that a very large number of patients die every year due to organ failure and transplantation is the only treatment available.

He also said that there are only about 25 organs and tissues like the heart, lungs, liver, corneas (eye), bones, skin etc that can be transplanted.

“Only a few like kidney, blood & a part of the liver can be donated by living persons. Therefore, cadaver donation is the only answer to meet the growing requirement of thousands in need.”

Gift of Life Organ Donation Awareness Society (GLODAS), which was launched on July 12 this year by State Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla, is pushing ahead it’s campaign to generate awareness about the noble deed of organ & tissue donation to save lives.

Dr GPI Singh, professor and head of Community Medicine at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, also the vice-president and an active campaigner of GLODAS-India explained the concept and philosophy behind the campaign.

Dr Aulakh also said that GLODAS was planning to hold presentations, seminars and discussions in colleges, schools and organised groups like Indian Medical Association, social service clubs, army camps and so on.

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