On April 25 and 26, 2026, Autonomous State Medical College (ASMC), Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, in collaboration with MOHAN Foundation, organized a two-day conference titled “MEDICALTRUISM.” The conference was conceptualized to promote the ethos of altruistic organ donation, drawing inspiration from the deep-rooted cultural values of selflessness in Indian society. It aimed to foster awareness, enhance clinical understanding, and strengthen systems related to organ and tissue donation, while encouraging voluntary participation across medical and community stakeholders.
The conference featured a series of expert-led scientific sessions addressing key aspects of organ donation and transplantation: Prof. Zia Hashim (Pulmonary Medicine, SGPGI, Lucknow) discussed the pulmonologist’s role in organ donation and brain death, emphasizing altruism in medicine. Prof. Rajesh Harshvardhan (Medical Superintendent, SGPGIMS, Lucknow) covered legal aspects of clinical practice with relevance to organ donation. Dr. Vishnu Shanker Shukla (Nephrologist, Charak Hospital, Lucknow) highlighted challenges in kidney transplantation from a living donor perspective. Dr. Anshul Gupta (Director, Bone Marrow Transplant, Medanta) provided an overview of bone marrow transplantation. Dr. Viswajeet Singh (Professor, Urology, KGMU, Lucknow) explained the fundamentals of renal transplantation. Dr. Abhishek Yadav (Senior Director, Apollo Hospital) presented recent advances in liver transplantation. Dr. Tulika Chandra (Professor & Head, KGMU, Lucknow) emphasized rational blood usage. Dr. Akanksha Verma (Associate Professor, TSM Medical College, Lucknow) discussed body donation as a noble legacy. Dr. Monisha Khare (Centre Head & Consultant Gynecologist & IVF Specialist, Indira IVF) explored ethical considerations in gamete donation. Dr. Ravi Shankar Kushwaha (Additional Professor, SGPGIMS, Lucknow) spoke on the future of organ donation in India. Mr. Sanchit Arora (Project Leader, MOHAN Foundation) shared innovative strategies to promote organ donation.
Panel Discussion: Road Ahead for Uttar Pradesh
A panel discussion moderated by Mr. Sanchit Arora brought together leading experts to deliberate on strengthening organ donation frameworks in Uttar Pradesh. Key focus areas included institutional preparedness, inter-departmental coordination, public awareness, and medico-legal challenges. The discussion reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts among healthcare institutions, legal systems, and community stakeholders to build a sustainable organ donation ecosystem.
Workshops and Capacity Building
• A virtual workshop for delegates was conducted by Ms. Lalitha Raghuram (Country Director, MOHAN Foundation) on “Grief Counseling and Making the ‘Ask’”, focusing on sensitive communication strategies.
• A dedicated workshop for medical students included an awareness session and case-based discussion on deceased organ donation, enhancing practical understanding.
• An interactive quiz session engaged approximately 75 participants, with top performers recognized and awarded.
Awareness and Engagement Activities
• An information desk operated throughout the conference, attended by around 150 individuals, with approximately 65 pledging organ donations via the NOTTO platform.
• A Nukkad Natak during the cultural programme effectively conveyed the message of organ donation in an engaging format.
• A Commitment Wall encouraged participants to pledge their support, fostering collective responsibility toward the cause.
Conclusion
The conference concluded with a formal vote of thanks, followed by the distribution of participation certificates and a resource manual for delegates. With approximately 250 attendees, the event demonstrated strong engagement from the medical community and reinforced a shared commitment to advancing deceased organ donation practices in the region.
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