Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Sep 18: A J Hospital & Research Centre will be organizing an awareness campaign on organ donation in collaboration with Mohan Foundation, Chennai (a non-profit organization that coordinates organ donation and transplantation activities in India).
The campaign, named 'Jeevanvileena' will be launched on Sunday September 20 and the valedictory function will be held on Saturday October 10.
This was revealed at a press meet by Dr Prashanth Maarla, medical director, AJ Hospital & Research Centre here on Friday September 18.
"There are an estimated 160 people per million who end up with end stage kidney failure, for which transplantation is the best option. There is a need for 25,000 kidney transplants every year but on the contrary 3,500 transplants are being done per year in India," Dr Prashanth said.
"A substantial number of people end up with liver failure too, who require transplantation. It is estimated that about 150,000 die in India due to road traffic accidents, out of which at least 50% of the people reach hospital and are later declared 'brain dead'. If around 20% of the relatives of such people come forward for cadaveric organ donation, it will help a significant number of patients. In the developed world it is much more common compared to India where it is in the early stage. Each cadaveric donor can give a fresh lease of life to around 50 people, but in India only liver, kidneys, heart valve, heart and corneal donations are common. A person with head injury and having all organs functioning normally except the brain stem (an irreversible condition) is neurologically defined as 'brain dead'. Their heart beats but the lungs need to be expanded by mechanical ventilatory support to maintain body oxygenation. If left, the patient would be dependent on the ventilator forever till the heart seizes / stops its function"
"The organ donation awareness campaign will be held in collaboration with Mohan Foundation, Chennai, NSS units of all colleges under Mangalore University, SDM Law College, City Centre mall (space donors)," he said.
Shivaprasad Shetty was also present at the press meet.
Programme schedule
Inauguration will be held at City Centre mall on September 20 at 6 pm.
Street play on 'Organ donation' by NSS students will be conducted on September 26 from 11.30 am to 12 noon in the vicinity of the respective colleges under Mangalore University (120 colleges).
Public shows by NSS students and theme oriented dance performance by experts on September 27 at 5.30 pm will be held at City Centre mall.
Public shows by NSS students and theme oriented dance performance by experts on October 4 at 5.30 pm will be held at City Centre mall.
Awareness rally by students from City Corporation to A J Hospital will take place on October 7 at 9.30 am.
Valedictory ceremony will be held on October 10 at 10.30 am at A J Institute of Medical Sciences auditorium.