Organ donation, the process of surgically removing an organ or tissue from one person and placing it in another person. This is done when the recipient organ has failed or has been damaged due to disease or injury. Organ donation is the practice of retrieving a human organ from a living or deceased person. When an individual decides to transform the life of someone else by donating his/her organ it is termed ‘Organ donation.’ A deceased person, who has pledged to donate his/her organs can save the lives of up to 8 individuals and further enhance up to 75 people’s lives.
Around 5 Lakh people die waiting for organ transplantation; and you can bring a change in someone’s life! However, due to the prevalence of myths, and lack of awareness about organ donation in India, many individuals hesitate to donate an organ.
Objectives of Organ Donation Day:
- Make people aware about the need for organ donation
- Distribute messages of organ donation all over the country
- Remove the hesitation of people about donating organs
- Motivate and encourage people towards organ donation
Which organs can be donated?
Organ donation is a life-transforming medical process. Different organs which can be donated by an individual after death and while the person is still alive are mentioned below:
- Kidney: deceased donor can donate both kidneys. The lifespan of a transplanted kidney is nine years but it also varies from individual to individual. A living donor can donate one kidney to someone and function well for the rest of their life.
- Liver: this is an important organ with the function of bile production and excretion. The liver is the only organ that can grow cells and regenerate. The liver of a deceased individual can be split into two pieces and transplanted into two different individuals. A living donor can donate a portion of his or her liver.
- Heart: This is a vital organ whose transplantation must be done in a short span of time after being retrieved. A heart can survive for 4-6 hours only.
- Lungs: Living donors can only donate a single lobe from the lungs and this will not regenerate. A single or double-lung transplant can be performed from deceased donors.
- Pancreas: A living donor can donate a portion of the pancreas and they can still retain its functionality. A deceased donor’s pancreas can be transplanted into another individual.
- Intestine: a deceased donor can donate their intestine whereas it is rare that a living donor can donate a portion of the intestine.
All the above-mentioned organs can be donated and transplanted.
What are the types of organ donation?
As World organ donation day is around the corner and we are pleading people to step up and become organ donors. Let us understand the different types of organ donation:
- Living organ donation: this is retrieving an organ from a healthy living person and transplanting it to another individual who is suffering from end-stage failure. This type of transplant is usually performed in case of liver or kidney failure.
- Deceased organ donation: this type of donation happens when an individual has registered for organ donation post-death. This is an organ donation from a person who has been declared brain stem dead. The person is said to be brain stem dead where there is loss of consciousness, absence of brain stem reflexes, and irreversible loss of capacity to breathe. In India, only individuals who die from brain stem death can donate organs. Although organs such as liver and kidney can be easily donated.
How can you become an organ donor?
For donating your organs after death, you can register on the state donor registry or fill out an organ donor card. Let your family members and loved ones know you would like to be a donor.
For becoming a living donor, you can contact a transplant center in your area to find out who needs an organ. A living donor has to undergo some medical tests and evaluations for checking the compatibility of the recipient. The doctor confirms the compatibility of the donor and recipient. The living donor organs are retrieved surgically by a doctor.
If you are below the age of 18 years, you must have your parent’s approval.
Can a donor donate organs after cardiac death?
No, cardiac death happens when the heart and breathing cease to function. All organs and tissue in the body at that time suffer from lack of oxygen, and circulation and die. Individuals who suffer cardiac death cannot be an organ donor but they can donate tissues after death.
Advantages of organ donation:
- Improves other’s quality of life:
Organ donation can improve the life of someone as they no longer have to depend on costly routine treatments to survive. For some individuals, an eye or tissue transplant means the ability to see again. Giving organs means that you help a host of other people who may now live a fuller life and pain-free life.
- Free to become a donor:
There is no cost related to donating your organs. Everything is taken care of by the transplant recipient and organ recovery organization.
- Bringing a positive difference:
Choosing to become an organ donor, is one of the easiest ways to make a lasting and worthwhile impact on the life of many individuals.
- Living donors fill a crucial need:
A living donor can donate a kidney or portion of their liver and thus the recipient and the donor can live a normal life with few restrictions.
Myths of Organ Donation
As organ donation is a very noble step but there are many myths and concerns about organ donors. Below are some of the myths and concerns reality:
Myth 1: If I agree to become an organ donor, the hospital staff won’t work hard to save my life.
Fact: when you visit the hospital for treatment, doctors focus on saving your life. You will be kept under examination and will be seen by an expert doctor who treats a particular condition and will provide you with the best care possible. The top priority of a doctor is to save your life and provide you with the best care.
Myth 2: Organ donation mutilates the body
Fact: donated organs are removed surgically and this does not disfigure the body. The deceased donor is clothed for cremation and there is no visible sign of organ donation. Even after the eye donation, an artificial eye is inserted, and the eyelids are closed. Also, after bone donation, a rod is inserted where the bone has been removed.
Myth 3: The donor’s family is charged for donating organs
Fact: The donor’s family is never charged for donating organs. They don’t have to pay or receive any amount for donating organs. If a family believes it has been billed incorrectly, then the family member must immediately contact the local organ procurement organization.
Myth 4: Anyone can be an organ donor
Fact: Doctors don’t want vital organs from donors who are completely dead and whose hearts have stopped beating. Some medical conditions disqualify one from donating organs. At the time of death, those who are brain stem cells dead can donate the organ. Some diseases rule out donation including active cancer, active HIV, or active infection. An individual with Hepatitis C can donate the organs to a patient who has Hepatitis C.
Myth 5: I am under 18, so I may be ineligible to make a decision
Fact: If you are under the age of 18, you are young to make a decision but your parents are responsible for authorizing the decision. You can talk to your parents about your wish to donate and your parents can provide you the consent knowing that it is what you wanted. Children are also in need of organ transplants and they usually need organs smaller than those of an adult.
Myth 6: Some organs such as the heart, liver, and kidney can be donated.
Fact: other organs which can be donated include the pancreas, lungs, and small and large intestine. Tissues that can be donated include skin, bone, heart valves, and tendons.
Myth 7: Only the wealthy can afford organ transplant
Fact: Factors such as blood group matching, length of time on the waiting list, and severity of disease also plays a role in classifying the main priority and low priority cases.
Myth 8: Organ donation can impact your health
Fact: Recovery periods vary, but within some months, most donors will return to pre-donation health. After donating a portion of the liver, then the cells in the remaining lobe regenerate or grow back to their original size.
What are the laws governing Organ donation in India?
There are a few rules and laws which are associated with organ donation and transplantation in India. Transplantation of Human organ & Tissue Act was passed in 1994 and aims at regulating removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs and preventing commercial dealing in human organs.
Some of the main provisions of the Act are below:
- Brain stem death is identified as a form of death. Process and criteria for brain stem death certification are defined.
- Allows transplantation of human organs and tissues from living donors and cadavers.
- Regulatory and advisory bodies for monitoring transplantation activity and their constitution is defined.
What happens when one is declared brain stem dead?
Organ donation needs prior consent from the donor’s family. In India, under the transplantation of Human organs and tissue act 1994, the family of the patient will decide whether to donate their organs and tissues.
As soon as the person is declared brain stem dead, the transplant supervisor will counsel the family and give them the option of donating organs and tissues. The donor family may or may not agree to organ donation, till the last minute before retrieval, and change their mind about donating.
Request for Organ Donation & Counselling
An organ donation request must be made between the diagnosis of brain stem death and cardiac death. According to law, doctors are required for taking the family member’s consent before retrieving organs, if the brain stem dead patient has pledged the organs. The doctor has to ask for the organs from a relative in case of brain stem death.
Brain stem death, a new concept and making a request for organ donation in these circumstances is a difficult task. If the relative agree, the process of organ donation is taken and vital organs like the heart, lungs, and pancreas are removed for transplantation.
Police NOC & Post-Mortem in Medico-Legal Cases
In a Medico-legal case, to proceed with organ donation, police NOC is required. The same is required for a specific forensic expert who is responsible for conducting post-mortem. The forensic expert must be present during the retrieval of organs and conducts the post-mortem.
Conclusion:
The first and foremost step to improve or save the lives of any individual is to register themselves as organ donor. By encouraging people to become organ donors, we help you to continue the mission of saving and healing lives.
Signing a donor card is the first step in designating the wishes about donation. Family members are asked to give consent for a loved one’s donation so it is important that they must know about the desire.
