Organ donation pledge on licence yet to take off

The Union government has already given the approval, and all that is needed to do is to add a clause in the driving licence, pointed out Dr Sunil Shroff of the Multi Organ Harvesting Aid Network (MOHAN) Foundation, an NGO that works in the field of cadaver organ donation and transplantation. The delay, he added, was unnecessary. 

“It is known that nothing goes through with the government very easily, delay is a part and parcel of this,” he opined. A few organisations had tried to take up a drive to put organ donation pledge stickers on licences. “But stickers are not the way forward, they can peel off,” said Dr Shroff. 

Speaking to DTNext, transport officials said implementing this is a rather easy process. However, the plan has not reached them yet, said a Regional Transport Officer from the city.     

“It is not a difficult process, as all we need to do is to include it in the licence. We will have to include the option in the application forms, and also in the cases where the existing licences come up for renewal or duplicate,” said the official. 

“While this will surely increase the number of organ donation pledges, we have not yet been informed of such a plan. Many NGOS do visit my office often to create awareness about the importance of organ donations,” he added.

Despite Tamil Nadu leading the states in the total number of organ transplants, it not easy for the doctors here to convince the kin of the deceased to donate organs due to various factors including traditional beliefs. 

“Even if an individual want to donate organs after death, she would not take the effort of pledging it,” said Dr J Varghese, a cardiologist. That is where the pledge, a small step for the person but something that has the potential to save multiple lives, come into play. 

“It will not only make it easier for those who wish to donate, but it will also reduce the stress counsellors at hospitals go through in trying to convince the families of the deceased,”  he added.