Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, J P Nadda took a pledge to donate his organs amidst thousands of enthusiasts comprising officers, staffers, doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff members of all Central Government Hospitals of New Delhi who also pledged along with him, here today. Also present were thousands of participants from the walkathon that took place at the India Gate in the morning today to create and enhance awareness surrounding organ donation.Speaking at the event, the Union Health Minister stated that donating organs is a gift and is an altruistic, egalitarian and a moral act. He added that we can turn the ‘end of a life’ into a new beginning with donating our organs. Shri Nadda said “Let organ donation become a national movement and show to the world that even in death we care for our fellow citizens and humanity at large”. Organ is a national resource and not even one should be wasted, he stated.
The Health Minister said that the Ministry is presently framing rules, regulations and protocols for facilitating organ donation. There are about 1.5 lakh brain deaths happening in the country every year, and organs from them can be used for saving lives of several lakhs of patients, he stated. He added that it is a matter of concern that the current organ donation and transplantation rate is not close to the requirement within the country for organs. He said that we have started taking decisive steps for harvesting cadaver organs and tissues and saving many lives a result of this.The Health Ministry is implementing the National Organ Transplant Programme with a view to promoting organ donation from deceased persons and thereby increase the availability of organs for transplantation, Shri Nadda said. A large number of activities have already commenced a part of the programme he stated. State Governments have been sensitised about the need to have systems in place to improve awareness regarding organ donation, adding that training programmes have been organised and these shall be stepped up.Also present at the pledge taking ceremony were Shri C K Mishra, Secretary (HFW); Dr Jagdish Prasad, DGHS and senior officers of the Ministry.