The healthcare panel of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Zone, Young Indians (Yi), Coimbatore chapter, in association with 12 leading hospitals in Coimbatore, recently organized an organ donation camp. The objective of this initiative was to create awareness about the need for organ donation. Today, the Coimbatore chapter of Yi organized an inspiring session on organ donation. The session brought together heads and representatives of various hospitals, the public, and the transplant Coordinator of the Government of Tamil Nadu under one roof.

In his address, Dr. J. Amalorpavanathan, Transplant Coordinator, Government of Tamil Nadu, said, “Thousands of people die every year with end-stage organ failure. The only way they can have a new lease of life is by organ transplant. One donor can save the lives of at least eight people. There is a critical shortage of organs, and the gap between the number of organs donated and the number of patients waiting for a transplant is increasing. Organ transplantation is one of the most miraculous achievements of modern medical science. But it depends entirely on the generosity of the donors and their families.”

The organs of a braindead person can be transplanted to others, and thus save lives. According to statistics, in India alone, about 5,00,000 people die every year for want of donor organs. In India, only a small percentage of potential donors are utilized.

Dr. S. Raja Sabapathy, Convenor, Healthcare Panel, CII Coimbatore, and Director, Ganga Hospital, spoke of the achievements of the ‘Gift an Organ’ initiative. He pointed out that there is an increase in the number of people coming forward to pledge their organs. When compared to last year, there is a 20 per cent increase in the number of organ donors.

At the event, 12 Coimbatore-based hospitals who have joined hands with Yi for the organ donation initiative, were formally recognized. The heads of the participating hospitals received certificates from Dr. Amalorpavanathan. Dr. RV Ramani, founder of Sankara Eye Care institutions; Dr. V. Narendran, Aravind Eye Hospitals; Dr. S. Rajasekaran, Ganga Hospital; Dr. KS Ramalingam, Coimbatore Kidney Centre (CKC); Dr. Praveen Raj, GEM Hospital; Dr. D Chandrasekar, KG Hospital, Coimbatore; Dr. Nalla G. Palaniswami, KMCH; Dr. V Nandagopal, PSG Hospitals; Dr. Thiagarajan SP SPT Hospitals; Dr. P. Periaswamy, Sree Abirami Hospital Private Limited; and Dr. Sukumaran, Sri Ramakrishna Hospital were felicitated.

In her address, Bharathy Baskar, Tamil orator and Vice President of Citi Bank, said, “I received an email about the technical aspects of organ donation. Honestly, I did not understand the technical details. I researched it and today, I’m aware of the aspects of organ donation.”

Speaking to Covai Post, Dr. Praveen Raj, Co-convenor, Healthcare Panel, CII, Coimbatore and Consultant, GEM Hospital said, “In the western region of Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore takes the lead in organ donation. In 2008, the Government of Tamil Nadu, through a pioneering effort, put together Government Orders laying down systems and procedures for deceased organ donation and transplantation in the state. With 540 donors having given over 2,500 organs in the past decade, Tamil Nadu performed ten times more cadaver transplantations than any other state in India.”