SOTTO organizes awareness seminar on ‘Organ Donation’

GMC Jammu Principal Dr Shashi Sudhan Sharma speaking on organ donation on Monday.
GMC Jammu Principal Dr Shashi Sudhan Sharma speaking on organ donation on Monday.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 28: In an attempt 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 (SSH) Jammu.
Dr Shashi Sudhan Sharma, Principal GMC Jammu was the chief guest on the occasion. While addressing the gathering, she explained in detail about “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.
On the occasion 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.
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 upon 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 while Dr Aman Gupta, Consultant, Nephrology briefed the gathering about the “Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease and Challenges in Renal Trans-plant”.
Dr Pranay Mahajan, Nodal Officer, ROTTO Chandigarh highlighted the Role of IEC, its strategies to spread awareness regarding Organ donation among people while 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.