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Manipal : Kasturba Hospital observed Organ Donation Day 2019 by honouring 30 relatives of organ donors here on Saturday. The donors who were declared brain dead as a result of severe injury or ill-health, Live Kidney Donors and deceased eye donors. The purpose of organizing the programme was to create awareness about organ donation among the people.

As the family members decided to donate the organs, to those in need, Kasturba Hospital decided to honour them today. G Jagadish Deputy Commissioner, Udupi was the Chief Guest. Dr Poornima Baliga B, Pro Vice Chancellor MAHE Manipal presided over the function. Dr Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent, Dr Chiranjoy Mukhopadyay, Associate Dean KMC Manipal, Dr Padmaraj Hegde Dy Medical Superintendent and other dignitaries were present.

After honoured the Donors G Jagadish said, “Such programs are very useful, as there is a shortage of organ donors everywhere. This is because there is no proper awareness to the general public. Deciding to donate and giving the life to someone else is a delicate and huge decision. The society appreciates the decision”.

In Presidential address Dr Poornima Baliga B, remarked that, “Organ donation is a bold decision, it is not easy for the family because of some superstitious belief and traditional practices. The family’s decision to stand up and donate the organs is indeed an example and your life is an inspiration to donate the organs to someone else”.

Awareness on organ transplant is very low in India as compared with Western countries. According to a report, over five lakh Indians are dying every year only because of organ failure. Organ transplant plays a major role in increasing quality life of a person.

Cadaveric donation (brain dead) comprises organ donation heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and pancreas, as well as tissue donation like skin, corneas, tendons and bone. Organ donation is one of the health care priorities in our country and by spreading awareness more number of people will come forward to donate organs.

Dr Shankar Prasad, Head- department of Nephrology, Dr Laxmi Prasad, Associate Professor department of Neurosurgery, Dr Manaili Hazarika, consultant Cornea transplant department of Ophthalmology gave an overview of live kidney donation, Cadaveric organ donation and eye donation respectfully. Ms. Suchetha Nayak was the Masters of Ceremony for the programme.