AIIMS Delhi nod for organ donation facility in Bhopal

BHOPAL: Much cited transparency in organ donations could become a reality soon as

Hamidia hospital

has got an in-principle nod from AIIMS Delhi for setting up of organ donation facility. The new avenue would ensure transparency and appointment of an organ donation official by government.


Currently, the beneficiary list is maintained by private hospitals. There is no combined beneficiary list for Madhya Pradesh, as required under NOTTO guidelines. “AIIMS Delhi has agreed to provide mentorship for setting up of organ donation facility. We are aiming to start renal transplant soon,” said Hamidia hospital nephrologist Dr Himanshu Sharma, ahead of organ donation day on Sunday.

One intensive care unit and two operation theatres would be upgraded to meet NOTTO guidelines. Sources said that AIIMS Delhi’s nod came following a letter in the regard by a top official in directorate of medical education (DME). Hamidia hospital has also requested for a dedicated team of 40 doctors and staff for the organ donation unit. Once functional, Hamidia hospital organ donation team would be assisted by AIIMS Delhi, which has agreed to provide mentorship.

On Sunday, families whose relatives and close ones had taken to the noble cause of organ donation were felicitated. "We cannot be successful without support from the government and non-governmental organisations,” said the organ foundation representative Kamaldeep Saluja.

Body and eye donation by internationally renowned Indian painter Sachida Nagdev (October 25, 1939 – May 29, 2017) stuck a cord with the audience. His daughter Smita, said “My father, who is known for his abstract oil paintings in harmonious colours, continues to bring joy and colour in the organ beneficiaries life.” Nagdev’s eyes and skin were harvested after he died in a Bhopal hospital.

“Teams to recover body and assist with donation do not reach on time,” said Sadhana Jain. She had donated body of her father-in-law.

“Time is a critical element in organ donation,” said ASP Sameer Yadav, who was traffic police in-charge when Bhopal’s first green corridor was created in late 2016. Central India’s first liver donation successfully took place in Bhopal. Since then more than three dozen organ donations have taken place.

Department of health and family welfare deputy director health Dr Upendra Dubey said, “It is not only the government which can meet the demand. Without involvement of society as a whole, organ donation cannot sustain.”