PharmEasy Blog

Organ Donation – A Noble Act That Can Save Lives!

Organ donation is important for society and for the individuals who need it, as it provides a life-giving, life-enhancing opportunity to those who are at the end of the line for hope. The process of organ donation  begins with a donor legally either consenting for his/her organs to be removed and transplanted to another person when the donor is alive or with the consent of the next of kin after the death of the donor.  

Commonly transplanted organs or tissues include kidneys, heart, liver, pancreas, intestines, lungs, bones, bone marrow, skin and corneas. Some organs and tissues like a kidney or part of the liver, part of the pancreas or the lungs or the intestines can be donated by living donors. However, most of the donations occur after the death of the donor.

There are various myths and fears associated with organ donation, especially in a country like India, where there is a lack of awareness. A survey conducted in India found that every year, 500,000 people die because of the non-availability of organs, 200,000 people die due to liver disease and 50,000 people die because of heart disease. Moreover, out of the 150,000 people awaiting a kidney transplant, only 5,000 of them actually receive a donation. 

Transplantations of organs have been one of the most important achievements of modern medicine. The ability to remove healthy organs from a person and transplant them into someone whose organs have failed or been injured is life-saving. This being said, transplants don’t happen as often as they could. 

Facts and myths about Organ donation:

The fact that organ donation is often impossible is what makes it so important that many people register to become donors.

Restrictions on organ donation – 

Having a serious condition like actively spreading cancer, HIV, diabetes, kidney disease or heart disease, Ebola virus disease can prevent you from donating as a living donor. In rare situations, the organs of donors with HIV have been used to help others having the same condition. It may also be possible for people with certain types of cancers to donate after three years of treatment.

Speaking to your family about organ donation – 

When faced with the choice of donation, some families do not consent to the donation of their loved one’s organs. A common reason for this refusal could be that the potential donor’s family was not aware of their loved one’s wishes. Hence if you have decided or registered yourself as an organ donor, you are encouraged to make your organ donation intentions clear.

Being an organ donor provides a life-saving opportunity. If you’d like to donate your organs, pledge today to save lives. It is the right thing to do!

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare. 

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