Training to augment organ donation in India

Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Sit, turns green in support of Organ Donation

On 17^th of February the iconic Qutub Minar was bathed in green to highlight the cause of organ donation, which is conventionally represented by a green ribbon.  It symbolized hope for those who are waiting for a second chance at life through transplantation. It reminded us of the men, women and children who have died waiting for a life-saving transplant. Most importantly, it conveyed our gratitude to Organ Donors and their families for giving the greatest gift of all, the gift of life.

At the event, the Foundation showcased an exhibition titled “Life before Ashes” - featuring human organ installations made from a mix of real human ashes and mud. The underlying message was simple but powerful – ‘What have become ashes could have been another human’s heart or kidney. If only the organs were donated.’

The foundation also released a film on “Counseling potential donor families” at the event. It is a film made by MOHAN Foundation on how the treating physician along with the Transplant Coordinator can approach a family to request for organ donation.

Given the fact the India has an abysmal organ donation rate of 0.8 per million population, ranking amongst the lowest in the world, there is a greater need for coordinated efforts between policy makers, public and private hospitals, NGOs etc. - this annual Samarthan event is an attempt by MOHAN Foundation to make this happen.

Metro Retro - A Celebration of Life

Metro Retro - A Celebration of Life- a first-ever musical event organised at a Metro Rail Station in India on December 3, 2017. The concert was organised by MOHAN Foundation in honour of its 20th anniversary, in celebration of its journey in giving the ‘Gift of Life’ through organ donation. The event was organised to celebrate the Golden Jubliee of the first heart transplant in the world and to acknowledge heart transplants being done in India more so in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Many said this was truly an event to remember, with its unique choice of venue for a music concert and to spread the message of organ donation. Around 80 people pledged to be organ donors and picked up a donor card.  

Rangoli Competition at Metro Station for the promotion of organ donation

The open air car park of the Thirumangalam Metro Station, Chennai was transformed to an art exhibition area to promote organ donation. MOHAN Foundation organised a Rangoli Competition in association with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) on 6thJanuary 2018 at the Thirumangalam Metro Station.

The theme of the Rangoli was (Indelible Designs) – Organ Donation. There were 13 pairs of students from 8 colleges of Chennai and 26 pairs of older women who created beautifully thought out designs to bring out the concept of organ donation. The youngest participant was 7 years and eldest was 62 years old. Nearly 100 people were present at the venue and many metro users came to see the rangoli and picked up donor cards

More than 4000 villages reached out with the help of Rajasthan Government

MOHAN Foundation Jaipur Citizen Forum (MFJCF) - Navjeevan had initiated a program to take Organ Donation awareness into rural areas of Rajasthan under the aegis of Rajasthan Government. An opening ceremony of Panchayat Level Organ Donation Awareness program was held on October 11, 2017 at village Muhana of Sanganer block, under the presidency of Mr. Rajendra Singh Rathore, Minister (Rural Development Department, Rajasthan Government).

With the efforts of sarpanch (elected head of the village) and general secretary of the various villages a huge momentum has been created and till date 44 awareness sessions have been conducted in the villages of Sanganer and Jhotwara Panchayat Smiti. More than 4994 villagers got sensitized about the noble cause of organ donation. It was a successful event by MOHAN Foundation Jaipur Citizen Forum team because it ignited the sensitization moment for the rural public of Rajasthan. This is a start of a journey to reach out to the grass root level to sensitize them about the cause of organ donation.

Bikers Rally on Organ Donation

A group of likeminded people started awareness rally on organ donation from Kashmir to Kanyakumari on bikes. All of them were women, and the title for the rally was “BE THE CHANGE”. Throughout the journey, they spread awareness on organ donation through distributing donor cards and information brochures.

The group visited MOHAN Foundation offices on their route to clarify doubts and picked up donor cards and information brochures.

Pan India sensitisation for 107 year old public sector bank, Central Bank of India

MOHAN Foundation was approached by EPOCH Brand Services Pvt. Ltd. a brand activation and event management company to organize organ donation awareness talks for the employees and officers of Central Bank of India across their offices in India to commemorate the completion of 107 years of the bank. A total of 13 awareness sessions were carried out in the cities of Chennai, Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kochi. Nearly 650 staffs of Central Bank of India were sensitized and 470 of them pledged to be an organ donor. This is a huge feet considering that when one staff is trained then there family is also trained.

Family organises Awareness Program on Organ Donation in father’s memory

Mr. Balaji, son of late Shri. Madhava Rao invited MOHAN Foundation to conduct was an awareness program on Organ Donation on 20th December 2017. The session was a part of 14th day memorial for Mr. Madhava Rao. Mr. Balaji explained that as his father late Shri. Madhava Rao donated his eyes; he decided to arrange Organ Donation awareness for his community. The family also runs AIMS (All India Movement for Service), an NGO at Vyasarpadi, Chennai.

MOHAN Foundation was awarded for its work in the field of organ donation

On November 24, 2017, MOHAN Foundation was invited to a CME organized by Jaslok Hospital in connection with organ donation. The theme of the CME was Organ Donation- A Gift that Lives On. MOHAN Foundation was awarded for its exemplary work in the field of organ donation along with a few other NGOs in the field.

MOHAN Foundation participates in International Workshop on Futuristic Healthcare Technology: Telemedicine and Medical Drone in Chennai

A two-day international workshop on Futuristic Healthcare Technology: Telemedicine and Medical Drones were held on 16th and 17th December 2017 at Apollo Children’s Hospital, Chennai. It was organised by National Design Research Forum (NDRF), Bengaluru and the Institution of Engineers (India) in association with Apollo Tele Health Services (ATHS) and National Institute of Advanced Studies. Dr. Sunil Shroff, Managing Trustee, MOHAN Foundation is on the National Advisory Committee for these workshops and was invited to moderate the panel discussion. The workshop was well attended with engineers, scientists, technologists, transplant surgeons, doctors, and tele health specialists participating.

The aim of the workshop was to look at how healthcare delivery could be augmented by leveraging advances in interdisciplinary engineering practice to develop affordable and innovative medical and healthcare devices. Access to better and appropriate technologies to match the health needs of the population (especially in rural and inaccessible areas) would enable disease prevention, early diagnostics, and effective treatment.

Links:

• Featured by leading newspaper for Samarthan 2018
• Qutub Minar in green creates waves across the city
• Human organs made of human ash gives different meaning to burial