Organ Donation Day
Organ Donation Day is observed on August 13 every year in India to raise awareness about the importance of Organ Donation. Thousands have lost their lives because of the lack of a suitable organ donor. According to the latest data, as against the demand for 1.75 lakh kidney transplants, only 5,000 are carried out. Similarly, 1,000 liver transplants take place while 50,000 dies of the end-stage liver disease.
One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and improve the lives of 50 people. In India, over five lakh people die every year because of the non-availability of organs to replace defective ones.
Points to Note
- The organs which can be successfully transmitted are kidneys, livers, Bone marrow, hearts, lungs, cornea, pancreases, small bowels through the medical treatments.
- The organs transplantation and donation both of the process can be successfully done because of the development of immuno-suppressive drugs which can increase the survival rate of organ recipients.
- In India, the organ transplant programme is accessible only for a small section of those rich enough to afford the surgery and treatment costs. For Liver transplantation, the package could vary from Rs 18 lakh to 26 lakh. For Kidney, it ranges from 8 to 15 lakh.
- Even after successful transplantation, it is necessary to take immuno-suppressive drugs and it costs more than ten thousand per month.
Test Your Knowledge
What is meant by Immuno-Suppressive Drugs?
The International Left-Handers Day is also observed on August 13.
