Does anyone have the organ donation details in India?

I want to know the details on how to become an organ donor.

DrNDTV: If I want to donate my organs after I die, how should I go about it?

Dr. Guleria: It is extremely important for you to talk to people around you, talk to your family and relatives because if unfortunately you ever become brain dead your relatives are going to be approached and asked whether the organs could be taken or not, and it is important for your family to know what your wishes are.

DrNDTV: Do you have to sign any papers?

Dr. Guleria: There are no such papers but there are a lot of donation cards that are currently available at all hospitals and the importance of this is that your family understands your wish and because of that it makes the doctor's job easy in convincing the family that look this man wanted to donate his organs.

DrNDTV: Are there any religious taboos against donating organs?

Dr. Soin: There aren't any religious taboos, as far as I am aware, against donating organs.

DrNDTV: When the doctor takes out the organ from someone who is dead, does it disfigure the body?

Dr. Guleria: It does not disfigure the body at all; in fact every care is taken to prevent the sanctity of body. The organs are taken out in the Operation Theater. There is just a long linear scar that runs across the middle of the body and this is very neatly closed. The body is handed back with full respect to the family. We also understand the tremendous trauma that the family is going through and we try to respect their feelings to the best.

Caller: My parents are not happy about me donating my eyes because they think they will not be able to bear the pain of seeing my body without eyes. Is there a solution to that?

Dr. Guleria: There are definite solutions for this. You must remember that when people die their eyes are normally closed so your parents will not get to see your eyes in any case. The other is if you still want to give your eyes, there are now very nice prosthesis that are available that can be put in the eye socket once your eyes are removed, and there will be absolutely no trauma to the family.

DrNDTV: Do you think that giving money to donors will encourage the family to donate organs?

Dr. Soin: Per se payment for organs is actually condemned across the world by the transplant community because it actually opens the doors for exploitation of the poor by the rich. So this is not actually allowed by law.

Dr. Guleria: I think, in a country like India where there is such huge diversities between the rich and the poor it will ultimately end up with the poor becoming the donors and the rich becoming the recipients.

Caller: I have a very high eye power of 锟?0, does it make sense for me to donate my eyes?

Dr. Guleria: Yes, you can as it should not make any difference.

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About the Donor Card


1. What is a 'Donor Card'?

Donor Card is a way of expressing your wishes. It is similar to a will. By signing the Donor Card, you agree to donate your organ.


2. How do I carry the 'Donor Card'?

Keep this card always with you in your purse or wallet. Let your close relatives know your wishes about organ donation.


3. Who else needs to sign my 'Donor Card' and Why?

By law, two witnesses are required to sign your consent form for donation. One of these two has to be a near relative, the second witness can be a friend or another relative.