J&K State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO) organized on Saturday, a deliberation on starting Cadeveric Organ Donation in Government Medical College Jammu. Deliberation was given by Dr Vipan Koushal, Professor & Head, Department of Hospital Administration, PGI Chandigarh who is Nodal Officer, Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (ROTTO North).
His institution is leading in Cadeveric Donation & Transplantation in North India.
The event meeting was chaired by Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Principal and Dean, GMC Jammu.
Dr. Elias Sharma, HoD Urology and Renal Transplant, GMC Jammu and Nodal Officer (SOTTO) J&K formally welcomed the delegates. He apprised the chair regarding the issues and challenges and the need for developing adequate infrastructure etc.for initiating the deceased donation programme in the hospital.
Dr. Yashpal Sharma, Director Coordination, New Medical Colleges, J&K was the Guest of Honour. He said that many people are waiting for organ transplant and awareness about the cause can play a savior for those suffering from organ failure.
Dr. Ashutosh Gupta said that sensitization on this altruistic cause of organ donation must be enhanced predominantly so that the number of lives can be saved as deceased organ donation gives a second chance of life.
While making a presentation on the key initiatives undertaken by J&K SOTTO , Dr. Sanjeev Puri, Joint Director, informed about several trainings, workshops, seminars, and awareness activities on Organ Donation and Transplantation by the organisation. SOTTO also has to its credit to facilitate registration of Renal and Corneal Transplantation in GMC Jammu and GMC Srinagar, also Army Hospital (NC) Udhampur as Organ Retrieval Center and Corneal Transplant Centre.
Dr. Vipin Koushal deliberated on the way forward to pace up the “Deceased Organ Donation and Retrieval” Programme. Commending SOTTO J&K for their work in raising awareness in the field of Organ Donation, Dr Vipin, said that, this meeting is organized with intent to build up focus on this altruistic cause of organ donation by engaging stakeholders departments to help boost the donation/retrieval/transplantation activity in the Government Medical College and help saving lives.
Dr. Haroon Salaria, HoD Neuro-Surgery, GMC Jammu emphasized the need for
training and sensitization of ICU/Emergency staff and better reporting of brain death cases.Commemorating the spirit, Dr Elias Sharma and Dr Sanjeev Puri gifted Organ Donation Paintings made by students to Dr Vipin Koushal and Dr Yashpal Sharma.
The meeting was attended by HoDs from Pathology, Anesthesia, Pediatrics, Neuro-surgery, Blood Bank, Orthopedics, Medicine, Microbiology, Ophthalmology; faculty and staff from various departments, Medical Superintendent GMCH, Deputy Medical Superintendent GMCH and Transplant Coordinators from GMCH Jammu.
