Kailash Satyarthi calls on politicians, Godmen to promote organ donation

Addressing a gathering of surgeons and cardiologists here, Satyarthi said ''I would like to challenge our political leaders and sadhus (Godmen), who claim to live for the poor and deprived Indians, to put a step forward, pledge and donate organs for their fellow brothers and sisters.''

Society for Heart Failure and Transplantation organised a 'Midterm Meeting of Society for Heart Failure and Transplantation' (SfHFT), to focus on experiencing an unparalleled fest of knowledge and skill enhancement. The theme of the meeting was Primary Graft Dysfunction, after Heart Transplantation.

Citing Sanskrit verses from the Bhagvad Gita that says the soul is eternal,  Satyarthi said.

''Our Godmen and sadhus, who claim to have read all the Vedas, Upanishads and Gita, should know that body is nothing, but a cloth that our soul sheds, after we die,''  Satyarthi said at an event here.

The social activist requested them to promote organ donation, instead of selling-off meditation, yoga and products, in the name of Indian cultural tradition.
He said that he is willing to take this initiative further, for the well-being of his fellow countrymen.

''Across India, about 2,05,000 children are born with some or other kind of heart disease, and only five per cent of them are actually treated. Rest of the 95 per cent have to live with their ailment,'' he added.

India is among the first five destinations for medical tourism and heart transplants in the world. However, with the establishment of National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) in 2014, the statistics have changed.

Since its inception, the organisation has worked towards creating awareness about organ donation and training medical staff in performing retrieval and transplant.
According to data from NOTTO, a total of 1,149 organs had been retrieved in 2014, 1,698 in 2015, 2,347 in 2016 and nearly 3,000 in 2017.

Expressing his gratitude towards the medical practitioners, the 65-year-old founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) said, ''People across the world hold doctors next to god. I, as a fellow humanitarian, see them as a beacon of hope.

''However, over the years, we have witnessed lack of morality and ethics in our working professionals. We should never forget the oaths that we take as we enter a profession, for that would help us prosper in true manner.

''India needs more of ethics, morale and compassion, to become a more perfect country,'' Satyarthi concluded.