World Organ Donation Day is observed every year across the globe on August 13. The day aims to raise awareness about organ donation. The theme of World Organ Donation Day 2024 is ‘‘Be the Reason for Someone’s Smile Today’. Organ donation helps to save the lives of people who are waiting for organ transplants. The day encourages people to donate their organs and save someone’s life.

However, there are several misconceptions about organ donation which stop people from donating their organs. Dr Bipin Vibhute, Head of Liver & Multi-organ Transplant Department at Sahyadri Hospitals, Pune says that a single donor can save up to nine lives, creating a ripple effect that touches families and communities. “Despite its life-saving potential, organ donation is often misunderstood, leading to hesitancy. As a transplant surgeon, I aim to dispel these myths, clarifying the reality of organ donation and encouraging more people to consider this powerful, life-saving act.”

Read on as Dr Vibhute debunks some of the common misconceptions about organ donation.

Fact: While brain death is the most common situation for organ donation, organs and tissues can also be donated after cardiac death, when the heart stops beating. This is called a donation after circulatory death. However, in India, organ donation primarily occurs after brain death, which is confirmed by strict medical criteria to ensure the viability of the organs for transplantation.

Fact: In addition to organs like the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas, tissues such as corneas, skin, bones, heart valves and tendons can also be donated. Tissue donation can help to improve the quality of life for recipients. For instance, corneal transplants can help restore vision and skin grafts can help burn victims heal. Unlike organs, which need to be transplanted quickly, tissues can often be stored for a longer period.

Fact: After a person’s death, many organs and tissues are still viable for organ transplantation, especially, when they die in a hospital under strict and controlled management where organ preservation can start right away. Tissues in the body including corneas, skin and bones can be donated for use in life-saving and life-improving surgeries.

Fact: Through tissue donation, one organ donor can enhance the lives of up to fifty people and save up to nine lives. It is possible to transplant different organs to different recipients, such as the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, and intestines. Tissues that can be donated include skin, bones, corneas, and heart valves. In India, where the need for organs surpasses the availability, the influence of a single donor is also very significant.

Fact: Registering as an organ donor is a simple and straightforward process, facilitated by government organizations like the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) and the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC). In India, you can register online through the NOTTO website, which takes just a few minutes. The ZTCC plays an important role in coordinating organ donation and transplantation at a regional level, ensuring that organs are allocated fairly and efficiently.

Fact: While registering as an organ donor is an important step, it is not the only way to donate your organs. It is important to discuss your wishes with your family. After a person’s death, the concerned family will be asked about organ donation. If they know the patient’s wishes, they can make an informed decision on their behalf. Even if the person is not registered as a donor, their family can still consent to organ donation.

Dr Vibhute says that organ donation is a powerful gift that can save many lives. Unfortunately, myths and misconceptions often misguide people from considering it.

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