With an aim to boost the Government of India’s organ donation initiative, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently led the pledge for organ donation by pledging all his organs and called upon others to do the same. Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant pledged to donate his kidney, liver and cornea during an organ donation program recently. It is learnt that following in the footsteps of the chief minister, Margao Municipal chairperson Damu Shirodkar on Tuesday announced donation of his eyes and body organs after his demise.
Organ donation is a noble act as it will help lakhs of patients suffering from end state organ failure get a new lease of life. It is learnt that a single deceased donor can save up-to eight lives by donating the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, small intestine and pancreas. The awareness with regards to organ donation in India has increased in the last few years.
However, in many places organ donation remains still a taboo often driven by various myths. It is learnt that despite medical advancements, over four lakh people die every year due to organ failure. The gap between the people who need an organ transplant and availability of organs is constantly on the rise. It would be in the fitness of things for politicians in Goa to take a pledge to donate their organs after death. Politicians should lead by example and the pledge for organ donation could be taken on their respective birthdays.
