Aug 3: On the occasion of World Organ Donation Day, specialists from Yatharth Super Speciality Hospitals urged people to pledge their organs and help bridge the critical gap between the demand for organ transplants and the availability of donors. Highlighting that thousands of patients in India continue to wait for life-saving transplants, the experts emphasized that greater public awareness, informed conversations, and the removal of misconceptions surrounding organ donation are essential to saving more lives. They also reassured that both living and deceased organ donation follow stringent medical, ethical, and legal protocols, ensuring the safety and dignity of donors while giving patients with end-stage organ failure a renewed chance at life.
Dr. Pragnesh Desai, Senior Director & HOD – Urology, Renal Transplant, Robotics & Uro-Oncology, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida Extension said,
“Organ donation is one of the greatest gifts a person can offer, providing hope and a second chance at life to patients suffering from end-stage organ failure. Organs such as the kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, and intestines can save lives, while tissues including the corneas, skin, bone, and heart valves can significantly improve the quality of life for many recipients. Unfortunately, the demand for organs continues to far exceed their availability. A single deceased donor has the potential to save multiple lives and benefit several others through tissue donation. It is equally important to address common misconceptions. Organ donation is considered only after brain death is declared following stringent medical and legal protocols, and every effort is always made to save a patient's life first.
There is no fixed upper age limit for donation, as organ suitability depends on an individual's overall health rather than age. Living donors also undergo comprehensive medical, psychological, and ethical evaluations to ensure their safety. With proper follow-up, healthy lifestyle practices, and regular monitoring, living kidney donors can continue to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. This Organ Donation Day, let us encourage informed conversations, pledge to become organ donors, and inspire more families to embrace the extraordinary gift of life through organ donation.”
Dr. Manoj Gupta, Senior Director & HOD - Robotic & Laparoscopic GI Surgery, GI Oncology and Liver Transplant, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Omega-1, Greater Noida,
"Organ donation is one of the greatest acts of humanity, offering a second chance at life to patients suffering from end-stage organ failure. While organs such as the kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, and intestines can save patients with end-stage organ failure, tissue donation including corneas, skin, bones, and heart valves can significantly improve the quality of life for many others. Whether through living donation or deceased donation, every donor makes an invaluable contribution to society. It is equally important to address common myths surrounding organ donation, as misconceptions often discourage people from taking this life-saving step.
In reality, donor safety, ethical practices, and patient care remain the highest priorities throughout the donation process. Living donors undergo a comprehensive OPD evaluation to ensure they are medically and psychologically fit for donation. This includes blood group compatibility, tissue matching (HLA typing), crossmatch testing, kidney or liver function tests, urine analysis, viral screening, imaging such as CT renal angiography or liver volumetry, along with detailed medical, cardiac, metabolic, and psychological assessments. These evaluations help ensure the safety of both the donor and the recipient. Most donors continue to lead healthy, active lives with one kidney or after partial liver donation by following a healthy lifestyle, maintaining regular follow-up check-ups, and monitoring their overall health. Greater public awareness and informed conversations about organ donation can help bridge the gap between the growing need for organ transplants and the availability of donors, ultimately giving more patients the opportunity to receive a second chance at life."
Dr. Rohan Senior Consultant - Nephrology MBBS, DNB (General Medicine), DM (Nephrology), Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida 110
"Organ donation is one of the most meaningful gifts a person can offer, with the potential to save or transform multiple lives. While organs such as the kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, and small intestine can be transplanted, tissues including corneas, skin, bone, heart valves, tendons, and blood vessels also restore health and function for many patients. Living donation and deceased donation are equally invaluable. A healthy living donor can safely donate a kidney or part of the liver after a comprehensive medical evaluation, while a deceased donor has the unique ability to save several lives through the donation of multiple organs. Unfortunately, myths continue to discourage many families. Donating a kidney or part of the liver does not usually prevent carefully selected donors from leading healthy, active lives, and successful transplants are possible even when donor and recipient have different blood groups in appropriate cases. Every potential donor undergoes detailed medical, laboratory, and imaging assessments to ensure safety. After kidney donation, maintaining hydration, a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, and periodic follow-up help protect long-term kidney health, allowing most donors to continue normal personal and professional lives."
Dr. B. S. Solanki, DM (Nephrology), Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Model Town, Delhi said,
"Organ donation is not the end of one life—it is the beginning of many new lives. “The greatest act of humanity is giving someone a second chance at life. In India, thousands of patients battle organ failure daily. While over 2 lakh people require a kidney transplant annually, only about 10,000 receive one. This massive gap highlights the urgent need for deceased organ donation. A single deceased donor can save up to eight lives and improve 50 more through tissue donation. For those suffering from chronic kidney disease, a transplant offers longer survival and greater independence compared to dialysis. Living donors can also safely donate one kidney, as a healthy person can lead a completely normal life with just one.
To support this noble cause, families must break the myths around donation. Doctors always prioritize saving lives, and organs are only retrieved after death is legally confirmed. You can visit the hospital OPD to consult specialists, understand the evaluation process, and pledge your organs. Organ donation is not the end of one life—it is the beginning of many new lives. Speak to your family today and make a decision that gives the ultimate gift of life. Every donated organ is more than a medical treatment—it is a second chance for a patient, a renewed future for a family, and a lasting legacy of kindness.”
