Organ Donation QnA
What is organ donation?
Organ donation is a noble act which gives us an opportunity to save many lives after our death. The donated organs are transplanted in the patients who are suffering from end stage organ failure. As many patients suffer from end stage disease of various organs, the organ donation is the only ray of hope for them.
What is organ transplantation?
Human organ transplantation is the achievement of the modern medical science where through surgical procedure the healthy organ from a living or dead person is implanted in an individual suffering from end stage organ failure. This is an established surgical treatment available for the needy patients.
What organs can be donated?
The vital organs like heart, liver, two kidneys, pancreas, intestine, lungs etc. can be donated if we are declared brain dead. However cornea [eyes], skin and other tissues can be donated even after cardiac death. The living person can donate limited organs like kidney [as we have two kidneys] or part of the liver to his/her close relative. The other vital organs can be retrieved only from brain dead individuals.
What is brain death?
Any individual whose brain stem, an important part of the central nervous system, is irreparably damaged is declared brain dead. Brain stem dead individual can not regain his, consciousness and breathing as brain stem has the centre for both. The heart can continue to function due to ventilator and other support system for a max. of 36 to 72 hrs. As the blood supply to organs can be maintained for few hours, it is during this period that the organs can be retrieved after obtaining consent from the close relatives. Such a death can occur only in an Intensive Care Unit.
Is their any chance of survival of a brain dead individual?
No. Brain dead individual is declared dead and cannot come back. There is no question of survival of the individual as the set of tests done twice by the experts leaves no possible doubt about the diagnosis of brain death. Brain death has nothing to do with mercy killing; the organs are taken only after the person is declared brain dead. Organs are never taken at the cost of donor’s life.
Does the donor have to die only in hospital?
Yes. As brain death can occur only in an ICU, one who becomes organ donor dies in ICU of the hospital. No vital organs can be retrieved if the death occurs elsewhere. However, eyes, skin & tissued can be retrieved up to 6 hrs. after the heart stops beating hence this could be done even if the individual dies at home.
Is it legal?
Yes. In India, The Human Organ Transplantation Act was passed in 1994 which mainly covers 3 areas.
• It recognizes brain stem death
• It regulates removal, storage and transplantation of organs for therapeutic purposes
• It prevents commercial dealings in human organs. No human organ can be bought or sold.
Is the donor’s body given back to the relatives?
Yes. The body is given back to the relatives to perform the last rites after the retrieval of organs. The organs are retrieved only for therapeutic purposes. This is different than body donation where the whole body is given to the anatomy dept. of a Medical College for research purposes.
Are the organs given to only the rich?
No. As per the priority criteria like age, blood group, waiting period, Clinical status of the recipients the organs are given to the most needy and suitable recipient. In Maharashtra the Govt. has given guidelines to give the priority score to all the waiting recipients to distribute the organs. Money, race, religion are not the criteria for distribution
Will the donor family know to whom the organs are given?
No. The name and address of the recipient is not given to the donor family and vice versa.
Is their any disfigurement after organ donation?
No. The organs are removed carefully by taking the donor to the operation theater and there is no disfigurement. There is cut on the body which is sutured just like any other surgery performed on the living person.
Does our religion support organ donation?
Yes. All the religions in India consider it as the noblest act.
Is any compensation or payment made to the donor family?
No. It is pure donation and hence it becomes the noble act. Moreover, the family is not charged for the investigations after the consent for organ donation is given.
How can one become an organ donor?
Sign an organ donor card. Share the wish with the close relatives as their consent is vital before retrieving the organs even if the donor has signed a donor card. The donor card must be kept with the person who has signed it.
Donor cards are available at the following address:-
Manav Jyot
22, Kenderline Lane, Flat No. 9, Kolkata – 700 012
Tel.: 2212-0042/0688, Telefax : 2212-0510
Email : manavjyotkol@yahoo.in
Website : www.manavjyotkol.in
Eye Donation QnA
Who can be an Eye Donor?
Any one can be a donor irrespective of age sex or blood group.
Does the human body reject the transplanted Donor’s Cornea?
Corneas do not have any direct blood supply. So the risk of rejection is very low. Rejections, if they occur, can be suppressed by timely medication.
Does eye donation disfigure the donor’s face?
No, removal of eyes does not produce disfigurement nor does it interfere with the customary funeral arrangements.
What conditions render corneas unfit for Donations?
Corneas of persons suffering from AIDs, jaundice, rabbies, syphillis, tetanus, septicaemia, viral diseases, cancer etc. are considered unfit for donation.
What about Diabetes or Hypertension?
Donors with these conditions can also donate their eyes.
Is there any use for corneas which for some reasons, cannot be a used for transplant?
Corneas that for technical reasons are not used for vision restoration, are invaluable for research.
How will my donations be used?
After the eyes are removed they will be evaluated, processed, screened and then supplied to the eye surgeon for transplant free of charge.
Do corneal transplants guarantee sight to all blind people?
No. Transplants only help when the loss of sight is solely due to corneal defect and rest of the eye’s mechanism is intact.
How quickly should the eyes be removed after Death?
As soon as possible, but eyes can be removed upto 6 hours after death.
Is it necessary to transport the donor to the hospital after death?
No. Eyebanks have personnel who will come to the donor’s home and remove the eyes. The procedure takes approximately 30-45 minutes.
What is an Eye Bank?
It is the link between donor and recipient eye surgeon. It is an organization recognised by the government to collect and distribute human eyes to those who require
cornea transplants.
HOW TO DONATE EYES?For Donors :
1. Write to your nearest eye bank and register your intention of donating your eyes i.e. “pledge” your eyes. Though this step is not strictly necessary, it is useful to
declare your intention in advance.
2. If the eye bank sends you a registration card, display it prominently so that it will serve as a long term reminder for everyone.
3. Discuss your intention of eye donation with your family, doctor and relatives.
4. If you shift your residence, record the address and telephone number of the eye bank nearest to your home.
FOR THE DONOR’S RELATIVES :
You have the authority & moral responsibility to donate the eyes of the deceased.
1. Get the vital death certificate quickly.
2. Contact the nearest eye bank as soon as possible. The eye bank need not necessarily be the one where the donor had pledged his eyes.
3. Close the eye lids.
4. Cover the closed lids with moist cotton wool.
5. Switch off the fan. (Switch on air conditioner if available)
6. Raise the donor’s head by 6 inches by placing pillows below it.
NB : Please mail screenshot of Successful Payment to manavjyotct@gmail.com with details