With One Announcement, Organ Donation Skyrocketed In Just 5 Weeks

As per a report from Chennai, the total number of organ donors has increased 27 times more in the last 5 weeks. The sudden spike in the organ donation is due to CM Stalin's announcement of state honours for the deceased organ donors. According to a recently released report, only 100 persons donated organs in a month before the announcement.

First-ever in India:

Religious beliefs are the reason for the hesitation among people to even donate the organs of the deceased. As per Dr. Amalorpavanathan, the hesitant mentality has been changed by bringing in a scientific perspective to the belief.

He said, "In India, the organ transplantation program was first started in Tamil Nadu in 2008 by the former CM Karunanidhi. Kalaignar introduced this program at a time when there was no widespread awareness about organ donation.

It was me who started the project by performing liver transplantation for the first time in Stanley hospital, where the transplant operation took place for 12 hrs. Now, the same operation can be done in just 6 hrs with the help of modern equipment.

Since the inception of the organ transplant program, Tamil Nadu has been in the top position for 7 years. Unfortunately, corona lockdown and its after effects brought down the number of organ donors significantly in the last 2 years. Only 5 or 6 persons donated organs in an entire year but the numbers have increased after the end of the corona wave."

Tamil Nadu - a pioneer state in the global level:

CM Stalin's announcement about state honours for the deceased organ donors, is not just an exemplary one but also a progressive and revolutionary one, which will facilitate the increase of organ donors considerably. Such a scheme has not been announced in other states in India as well as developed countries like USA, UK etc.

A highest honour given by the government to the deceased higher ranked officials in the army; ministers; CM; President and PM, is now given to all organ donors in the state.

Skyrocketing numbers:

Granting highest honours given by the government to ordinary citizens for the reason of organ donation is a commendable act. Before the CM's announcement, 200 persons came forward to donate organs in a month but after the announcement, organ donations skyrocketed 27 times more than before, as per a news report.

The credit for the increase of organ donations solely goes to CM Stalin's government. The announcement is laudable in all aspects because the donated organs of a deceased person will be helpful to give life to approximately 12 persons.

Vadivelu, a part of Tamil Nadu history:

After CM Stalin's announcement, for the first time state honours have been performed at the funeral of Vadivelu, a government officer from Chinnamanur village in Theni district for donating his organs. Vadivelu met with an accident and was declared brain dead due to which his family members donated his organs.

Like Hithendran who was declared brain dead at the age of 18 in 2008 and became a part of organ donation history, Vadivelu also became a part of history by receiving state honours for the first time.

Three weeks back, Tamilselvi from Arittapatti village in Madurai district met with an accident and was admitted to a hospital where she was declared brain dead. In this case also her family members donated her organs. Similar situation occurred to a farmer Krishna Kumar from Cuddalore district who was also declared brain dead because of which he also received state honours.

Who can donate organs?

Vairakani, Consultant for the Urology Department in Apollo hospital explains the details of organ donation. He said, "There are two types of organ donors. The first category of donors donate organs when they are alive and the second category of donors' organs will be donated by their family members after the death of the donor.

The only condition for the live donors to donate their organs is the attainment of 18 years of age. Earlier people having diabetes and blood pressure cannot donate organs but with the advancement of medical technology anyone can donate organs today. Deceased persons, irrespective of their age, can also donate their organs without any barriers.