Pune ZTCC is the first state to launch an online organ donation pledge form

The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic affected the city’s organ donation program.

At the Pune Zone Transplant Coordinating Committee, which allocates donated organs, authorities said they were only able to list 13 brain-dead patients as donors so far. To encourage organ donation, Pune ZTCC has taken the lead and is the first organization in Maharashtra to launch an online organ donation pledge form.

“Just scan the QR code and promise organs. Be a hero, be an organ donor, ”said Aarti Gokhale, central coordinator, ZTCC, Pune. The ZTCC plays a key role in the allocation of donated organs. There are four ZTCCs in the state – Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur and Aurangabad.

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“In the first wave of last year, we were able to recruit 41 brain-dead patients as organ donors, whereas this year there were only 13 organ donors. Due to lockdown-like restrictions, our teams were unable to physically visit organizations and educational institutions to provide forms and ask citizens to inquire about their willingness to donate organs, ”added Gokhale.

Demand is high as the ZTCC waiting list has 1,600 patients who need one kidney, 600 who need a liver transplant, 50 who need a heart, and 75 patients who need two. organs (multivisceral). From January 1 to June 21, there were 13 deceased donors and a total of 33 organs could be removed. But only 13 kidneys and livers each could be transplanted, Gokhale said. Two hearts were sent from Pune to Hyderabad and Mumbai. From January to December 2020, 41 patients were identified as donors of brain death. A total of 48 organs were removed last year.

Large numbers of people die each year from non-functioning organs. According to data from the Union’s Health Ministry, around five Lakh people die each year due to the unavailability of organs, with authorities arguing for the scaling up of the organ donation program. “We need to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage as many people as possible to scan the QR code and fill out the pledge form,” Gokhale said, adding, “The donor card is also accessible directly by signing up. logging into the ZTCC website. . “

Short film on organ donation

The deceased donor program has been affected due to the Covid-19 pandemic and as the ZTCC has made several efforts to reach as many people as possible through its online pledge form, a new film, Gulmohar, will be released. soon, aims to raise awareness of organ donation. “Donate an organ, save life” is the theme of the film. ZTCC, in association with Radius Media Production and Black Horse Production, will soon release the film at various national and international film festivals.