Organ Donation Message Into The Classrooms
Dr Anshu Asri
(BHMS , DPT, PG Dip Guidance and counselling)
Medical officer, DAV Centenary Public School , Paschim Enclave , Delhi-87
It is a well known fact that organ transplantation is the sole therapy available for many organ insufficiencies, but the lack of organ donation limits transplanting. Every year around 6 lakh people die in India due to the shortage or the unavailability of organs. While the organ donation rate in a western countries is very high but in India it is still very low .
"I have observed that children can actually become agents of change . I have been using the team of student volunteers to convince parents to donate blood during the blood donation camp that I organize every year.Similarly for Organ and tissue donation also we can involve children. But what children need is proper information."
To bridge this gap as well as save lives it is very important to educate the masses about the importance of organ donation. If school children are taught about donation they can be hugely influential and can inspire others around to think about the gift of donation they can give and this way ultimately help save more lives. Being associated with a school as a medical officer for more than three decades I have observed that children can actually become agents of change .I have been using the team of student volunteers to convince parents to donate blood during the blood donation camp that I organize every year . The response of parents due to the effort of this team is very encouraging. This team is sensitized and informed adequately about the need and importance of blood donation.
Similarly for Organ and tissue donation also we can involve children. But what children need is proper information. For this teacher’s support is essential. Many western countries have introduced teaching resources, designed to equip secondary school teachers with the knowledge and tools to educate and engage students about organ and tissue donation.
If teaching about blood, organ and stem cell donation is made a part of the national curriculum it would simplify the task of sensitization. Another advantage is that children take home such messages and they become part of family discussions enabling parents to at least think about donation. I am sure once eligible most such young people become donors by opting for organ donation registration. Schools can invite guest speakers to visit and share personal stories of the life-saving power of donation as well as educational information. Here, I would like to congratulate Dadhinchi Deh Dan Samiti which has been doing wonderful work in this context and can provide huge support to families and schools .I request everyone reading this article to get in touch with this one of its kind organization for this noble Endeavour.