Organ Donation Awareness Seminar organized by SOTTO J&K

Jammu: To create awareness among people about Organ Donation, State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO) J&K organized a seminar on “Organ Donation” in collaboration with Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (ROTTO), PGIMER, Chandigarh at Super Speciality Hospital Jammu on Monday.
Principal Government Medical College Jammu, Dr. Shashi Sudhan Sharma, was the chief guest on the occasion.
While addressing the gathering, Dr. Shashi Sudhan Sharma explained the “National Organ Transplant Program”. She said that someone who is brain dead due to some Brain injury, Brain hemorrhage or some other reason, Organs and Tissues of his body still remain alive and can save up to 37 lives after donation. “Everyone is a Potential Donor”, she added. She inspired everyone to donate their organs after death.
In his address, Dr. Vipin Koushal , Nodal Officer, ROTTO Chandigarh spoke on the “Role and Activities of Registered Organ and Tissue Retrieval Centres: A Recount”. He also briefed the audience about the Constitution of Brain Death Certification Committee for brain death certification in intensive care units in hospitals of the State, so that clinicians have a clear way forward when it comes to managing patients with grievous brain injuries, who are not likely to recover.
Dr. Elias Sharma, Nodal Officer SOTTO J&K gave a detailed presentation on “General Principles of Kidney Transplant”. He threw light on End stage Renal Stage, Transplant immunology, Transplant Antigens, complications in Renal Transplant etc.
Dr. Satish Gupta, HOD, Ophthalmology, talked about the Causes of Corneal Blindness, Myths and facts regarding eye donation and Current status of Corneal Donation in GMC Jammu. He inspired everyone to donate eyes after death and bring light to someone’s colorless life.
Dr. Rahul Gupta spoke on the topic “Brain dead donation” (Cadaveric) in order to bridge the gap between the huge demand of organs and the short supply of donors.
Dr. Pranay Mahajan, Nodal Officer, ROTTO Chandigarh highlighted the Role of IEC, its strategies to spread awareness regarding Organ donation among people. He also urges people to pledge organs while living. Many people die due to non availability of organs for transplant, so it is very important to bring awareness among people about organ donation,” he added
Dr. Aman Gupta, Consultant, Nephrology briefed the gathering about the “Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease and Challenges in Renal Transplant”. With, 14 million population of J&K, and prevalence of 10%, around 1.4 million CKD patients are estimated, he added during his speech.
Saryu Madra, (Consultant IEC/Media), ROTTO Chandigarh talked upon the working of ROTTO, role of NGOs and various stakeholders in creating awareness regarding organ donation.
Dr. (Prof.) S.L. Kachroo, Joint Director, SOTTO J&K threw light on the status of SOTTO J&K and
IEC Activities since its inception to create awareness among masses and also presented vote of thanks.
During the program, Ashwini Khajuria, Administrator, GMC and AHs, Dr. Manoj Chalotra, MS, SSH and Doctors and residents from various departments were present.
Whole event was Hosted by Irfan Ahmed Lone, Transplant Coordinator, SOTTO J&K and managed by Anshu Sharma, (Consultant IEC/Media), SOTTO J&K, Nisha Kumari, DEO, SOTTO J&K.