Srinagar, Nov 26: In a compelling call for action, the Head of Urology and Kidney Transplant Unit at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Dr Saleem Wani, emphasised the critical role organ donation can play in saving lives.
Dr Wani, speaking passionately, asserted that not only is organ donation permissible in Muslim countries, but it has the potential to save numerous lives.
“Organ donation is a noble act. A person who is on the verge of death, sustained only by a ventilator after brain death, can save up to eight lives through organ donation. Two kidneys, two parts of the liver, heart, and lungs – these precious organs can be the lifeline for multiple individuals,” Dr Wani stated.
He was speaking at a two-km run for awareness on Organ Donation and Physical Fitness organised by Jammu and Kashmir State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO), and other organisations on the banks of Dal Lake.
The occasion was marked by a run organised with the primary objective of raising awareness about the life-saving impact of organ donations.
Dr Wani expressed the purpose of the run, stating, “this event is held to give awareness to people that people can be saved by organ donations. Those who are dying can be saved.”
He further highlighted the support for organ donation within religious communities, saying, “God has created these organs. These are precious organs. After death, they are either burnt or buried. If they are donated, they can save lives. Donations are being made everywhere, in every country. Muslim countries are also doing this.”
Despite advancements in medical science, organ transplantation faces a significant challenge – the shortage of available organs. Dr Wani explained, “At SKIMS, there have been 500 to 550 transplantations. We have been doing transplantations since 1999. But the problem is that the organs are not available.”
To address this shortage, Dr Wani advocated for the promotion of deceased donor programmes or cadaver transplantation.
He elaborated, “In cadaver transplantation, the person who is dying due to an accident, on a ventilator, can save the lives of eight people. The purpose of this programme is to make people aware that organ donation can save lives and, importantly, that it is permitted.”
He said that in this run, a woman who underwent organ transplantation in October 2018, participated to advocate for organ donation. “Her participation symbolises the tangible impact that organ donation can have on individuals’ lives and the importance of spreading awareness about this life-saving practice.”
The event not only promoted physical fitness but also raised awareness for organ donation. Organised with the aim of highlighting the importance of organ donation and encouraging a healthy lifestyle, the marathon drew many participants.