Tamil Nadu - Vellore   

Stress on value of organ donation

VELLORE: People should come forward to offer their organs for donation on their death and also donate organs of their deceased kith and kin. Vital organs can be used to give a fresh lease of life to those in need, said Sahayam, transplant coordinator of the Christian Medical College, Vellore.

He was speaking at an ‘Awareness programme on organ donation’ organised by the Inner Wheel Club of Vellore North at the Workshop for Rehabilitation and Training of the Handicapped (WORTH) Trust at Katpadi on Tuesday.

Mr. Sahayam said that one child is born every three seconds in the country, while one child is born every 12 seconds in the world. One child is born blind every seven seconds in India. A death occurs every three seconds. But, there are many blind people in the country. This points to the fact that the eyes of not all those who die are donated. If they were donated, the incidence of blindness could be reduced in the country, he said.

Mr. Sahayam acknowledged the role played by R. Chandrasekharan, president, Udhavum Ullangal, Vellore in initiating an eye, blood and body donation movement in Vellore district .

He said that two out of 100 persons in the 35-55 age group have kidney problems, and 80 per cent of the recipients of kidneys would have got the renal problems owing to diabetes. Cadaver donation is the only solution to those suffering from renal problems. While 7,500 people died every day in the country, only 2,500 kidneys are needed. But, the kidneys of not all those who die are being donated. So, sufficient kidneys are not available for transplantation.

Replying to a question, Mr. Sahayam said that brain death was not the same as coma. In brain death, the brain becomes totally dysfunctional, whereas in coma stage, some parts of the brain would be working. Brain death would be confirmed after two tests, the second one being performed six hours after the first test. The organ removed from the cadaver of a brain-dead person should be transplanted within six to eight hours of brain death, he said.

Mr. Chandrasekharan said that those who desire to donate their organs after death should communicate their desire to their kith and kin without delay. Vasantha Charles, president, Inner Wheel Club of Vellore North, welcomed the gathering.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Stress on value of organ donation
Award for Vellore for anti-tuberculosis work

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu