- One of the noblest acts any human being/family can even think about is to donate organs of a dead member while still coming to terms with the loss of life. Especially if a family member has passed away due to gruesome accidents and/or met with untimely death, it makes it even more challenging for those grieving the irreparable loss. Of course, the sustained dissemination of information and awareness campaigns about organ donations has had a welcome effect on Indian society. As can be seen and duly corroborated by the statistics made available by the authorities concerned, more families are coming forward to donate organs of their deceased loved ones. The moot point to ponder over here is how more families can be made to opt for the noble cause.
PC: Mathrubhumi English
- Mind you, Indian society is traditional and conservative at heart and deed in more than one way. As such, any instance of news reports of a deceased individual’s family donating organs makes for news headlines. Agreed, such information would have a cascading effect in creating awareness among the citizens, which would go a long way in helping the patients waiting for organ transplants. One such news headline from Kerala grabbed the attention of countrymen recently. Parents of Aalin Sherin Abraham showed courage and compassion in donating their brain-dead infant’s body parts. The gesture has given life and vision to four children. For more people to follow the example of a Kerala couple, trust in the state organ donation system is also essential.
PC: India Today
- Note that organ donation isn’t easy – a complex of beliefs/values, rituals, science, logistics, and most importantly, trust in the state framework, from recovery to transplantation. Kerala’s little Aalin made history as a child donor. Aalin was laid to rest in Kerala with state honours, a policy in TN where all organ donors’ last rites are held with state honours. TN recognized that relatives make the sacrifice at a time of grief. Such measures show respect and help expand the idea of organ donation. This came alongside the TN govt expanding on infra for organ retrieval, transport, and transplantation. State health insurance funds cover organ transplant and post-transplant medical requirements. This is not only laudatory but also emulation-worthy.
PC: The UNN
- However, a pain point across most of India is that while retrievals are in public hospitals, transplants are almost entirely (85%) in private ones, procedures costing a bomb. So, TN inspires public trust. We are wary of organ donation, as altruism is rare in our society. In-family live donors, that too women, are more common, while deceased organ retrieval remains a long shot. As the need for organs grows countrywide, state govts must step up to the task. Proactive govts can take a leaf out of govt initiatives for blood donation. Without govt initiatives, organ trade fills the gap between demand and supply to a brutal extent. Families will take tough decisions, cross that emotional barrier when govts take the initiative. It’s time the governments walk the talk.
