Army carries out special drive to popularize organ donation

New Delhi: Become a donor and save lives. That is the message the Indian Army is spreading this month as it aims to popularize organ donation.

The Army is celebrating August as 'Organ Donation Month'. The country observed Organ Donation Day on August 13.

"The situation is very critical. We have many in the armed forces who have fallen sick and organ donation can work wonders for them. It is not just soldiers but also their families," a senior doctor at the Army Base Hospital here said.

To popularize organ donation, the Base Hospital has tied up with the Capital Chapter of Harley Davidson Bikers Group.

Seventy-odd men and women, including Col Prashant Pandit, drove on their bikes today afternoon through the Cantonment carrying placards and pledging their support to the cause.

"One should register as organ donor and should also inform the family. In case due to any reason, the person becomes brain dead, his organs can be used to give a fresh lease of life to nine people," the doctor said.

Doctors said that one of the biggest roadblocks in Indian organ donation drive was the religious beliefs that come into place. "Religious beliefs take a toll on organ donation. That is a roadblock that needs to be crossed."

Army R R Hospital is also in the forefront of the drive. Many of these young soldiers, aged 18-30 years, are admitted with renal failure in various Armed Forces Hospitals and are faced with the bleak prospect of a life time on dialysis.

"As a result the organization loses the services of a highly trained soldier permanently. With kidney transplants, the individuals are able to return to active service within a short period of time. Thus, benefit of renal transplantation extends beyond the individual patient to the organization."