Centre asks States to raise awareness of cadaver donations
- Amidst shortage of human cadavers for academic and research purposes in medical colleges across the country, the Union Ministry of Health has appealed to States/Union Territories to encourage people to donate dead bodies in the event of deaths happening outside hospitals.
- The Union Government was committed to promote and augment organ donation for saving lives of those suffering from various organ failures.
- In most of the cases, organ donation was feasible only from the brain stem dead patients (before the heart stops).
- On many occasions it was noted that organ donations were not possible in situations where deaths happened outside the hospital, cardiac deaths occurring before the patient got admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and deaths before the completion of the brain stem death certification process.
Body donation
- The donated human bodies are required for academic and research purposes, which aids in better teaching of medical professionals.
- We have a shortage of human cadavers required for teaching in the country.
- State Health Secretaries should instruct the stakeholders accordingly, the option of body donation could be explored and family members encouraged and facilitated for the same.
- Which will go a long way in offsetting the shortage of human cadavers in medical institutions.
Nationwide campaign
- The Health Ministry informed that as part of the Indian Organ Donation Day on August 3, 2024, it had been decided to organize a public awareness campaign in the name of “Angdaan Jan Jagrukta Abhiyan”.
- Stating that strengthening the healthcare systems to facilitate organ donation and transplantation was among the top priorities of the Government of India, the Union Health Secretary said organ donation was a noble act that offered hope and new lease of life to those suffering from end-stage organ failures.
Huge gap between donors and patients
- One organ donor can save up to 8 to 9 lives. However, a huge gap exists between patients who require organ transplants and the organ donors that are available.
- The campaign was intended to reduce the demand for organ transplantation by promoting healthy lifestyles and wellness, to spread awareness about brain stem death and deceased organ donation.
- The focus would also be on busting myths and misconceptions related to organ donation and transplantation.
Prelims Takeaway:
- Angdaan Jan Jagrukta Abhiyan