VMMC organises awareness event on organ donation

New Delhi: Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and Safdarjang Hospital organised a programme to create awareness about organ donation.

The national organ donation awareness programme was organised by the department of urology and renal transplant of VMMC and Safdarjang Hospital with an aim to promote organ donation and dispel the myths and misconceptions that surround organ donation, according to a statement.

"We organised the event to send out a strong message that no religion prohibits organ donation. Very often we come across cases where people tell us that their religion does not allow them to donate organs. We brought together religious leaders to send out a message that it is wrong," said Anup Kumar, Professor and head of the department of urology and renal transplant of VMMC.

The event also highlighted the huge gap which exists between patients who need organ transplants and availability of potential donors in the country.

Giving details of organ transplants in India, Kumar said that every year, two lakh kidneys were required but only 5,000 renal transplants could be done.

Similarly, 50,000 hearts were required annually but only 30 get them, while 50,000 liver transplants were required but only 700 get them.

"The only way to bridge this gap between demand and supply is cadaveric transplants where patient can donate organs after brain death," he said.