In India, lakhs of patients are in dire need of an organ transplant. However, less than a thousand transplants from deceased persons are performed each year.
Many have several misconceptions about organ donation that discourage them from the noble deed. Each organ donor has the potential to save seven to eight lives while improving several lives with tissue donation. Hence, it is crucial to bust myths and reduce stigma around organ donation.
Here are a few things everyone must know about organ donation
-It’s not possible to donate all organs after cardiac death
Many believe that any organ can be donated after death; however, donations that happen after cardiac death are donations of eyes, skin, tissue, bone and heart valve. Once a person dies a cardiac death, their organs like the heart, pancreas, lungs, and kidneys also die. Hence, only a brain-dead patient can donate such organs.
– Brain death and coma are different.
Many believe that brain death and coma are the same; however, such is not the case. People who are in a coma are unconscious but still alive, so brain death is different from a coma. Critically ill patients die after being placed on life support when they suffer brain death. In India, a panel of four doctors must declare you brain-dead. Only a brain-dead patient can be considered for organ donation.
– You need the family’s approval.
Unlike western countries, in India, it is legally binding for the kin to approve organ donation. A person can register for organ donation in their lifetime; however, after death, their family needs to approve the organ donation. Without the family’s consent, no donation can be possible.
Once a patient has been declared brain dead, their family has limited time to make this decision as doctors cannot maintain the quality of organs for long.
– Bodies are not mutilated while retrieving the organ.
Many believe that organ donation mutilates the dead body. This is one of the prime reasons why families of the deceased refuse organ donation. The bodies of deceased donors are stitched up and cleaned before handing it back to the family.
– Living donors can be helpful as well.
A living person can be a tissue or organ donor. A living person can lead a healthy life after organ donation. Many fear organ donation will reduce their quality of life. However, such is not the case with right medical support and guidance the living donor’s quality of life is not compromised.
– Elderly and chronically ill people can donate organs.
Contrary to popular belief no medical condition or age automatically disqualifies you from being an organ donor. Doctors assess the condition of the patient before declaring them fit to be a donor. Anyone, despite their age and medical history can be an organ donor.
Pledge to be an organ donor to save and improve someone’s quality of life. Share this information with your friends and family and help reduce the stigma around organ donation.