Organ Donation Awareness Program held at GMC Udhampur

UDHAMPUR, December 9: The Jammu and Kashmir State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) conducted a comprehensive awareness program on organ donation at Government Medical College Udhampur in collaboration with the Department of Surgery.

The event, presided over by Principal Prof. Dr. Mrityunjay, welcomed special guests Col R. Venkat Naryan, Reconstructive Surgeon, and Col. Priya Taank, Eye Transplant Surgeon from Command Hospital (NC) Udhampur. Head of the Department of Surgery, Prof. Dr. Neeraj Koul, played a pivotal role as the Chief Organizer.

During the program, Dr. Elias Sharma, Head of Urology at GMC Jammu and Nodal Officer SOTTO J&K, delivered a lecture emphasizing the critical need for cadaveric donation in India. He dispelled myths surrounding organ donation and transplantation, stressing its potential to save numerous lives.

Joint Director of SOTTO, J&K, Dr. Sanjeev Puri, provided insights into the National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. He encouraged the audience to actively participate in the organ donation pledge drive under Ayushman Bhav.

Irfan Ahmed, Transplant Coordinator at SOTTO, elucidated the sequence of events in a cadaveric organ donation. 

Additionally, a painting competition was organized for nursing students. The awareness program saw the presence of various dignitaries, including Dr. Vanita Gupta (HOD, Anatomy), Dr. Shalini (HoD, PSM), Dr. Ajay Puri (HoD, Biochemistry), Dr. Jyoti Kohli (HoD, Microbiology), Dr. Ajay Kumar (HOD Pharmacology), Dr. Lokesh Gupta (FA/CAO), and other esteemed staff members.

 The initiative aimed to enhance understanding and encourage active participation in organ donation, emphasizing its role in transforming and saving lives.