MOHAN Foundation participated in the 9th Annual Neurotrauma Conference, held from April 24-26, 2026 at the Jawaharlal Auditorium, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The theme of the conference, “Next Decade of Neurotrauma Excellence,” reflected the focus on advancing clinical care, strengthening systems, and fostering innovation in neurotrauma and related fields.
On April 26, 2026, a session titled, “The Threshold of Life: Navigating Brain Death, Policy, and Donation in India – Rolly Prajapati Lecture Series” was organised with a special focus on looking at various aspects of organ donation in the country.
The session featured eminent national and international speakers including Dr. Sunil Shroff, (Managing Trustee), Dr. (Col) Avnish Seth (Country Lead – Best Practices, Organ Donation & Transplant) Ms. Pallavi Kumar (Executive Director) from MOHAN Foundation. Their collective expertise provided valuable insights into both clinical and systemic aspects of organ donation in India.
Dr. Sunil Shroff delivered an insightful talk on “Brain Stem Death in India: Exploring the Disconnect Between Policy and Practice,”. He emphasized the urgent need for bringing in a uniform definition of death.
Dr. (Col) Avnish Seth delivered a thought-provoking talk on “Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) in India: Are We Prepared Yet?” He examined the current preparedness of the Indian healthcare system to adopt DCD practices, discussing both the opportunities it presents and the operational, ethical, and infrastructural challenges that need to be addressed before its wider implementation.
Ms. Pallavi Kumar spoke on “Transplant Coordinators or Grief Counsellors – What does India need? ´ The session explored whether the distinction between the two roles is merely semantic or reflects a deeper gap in India’s transplant ecosystem. She emphasized the need for professionals who combine technical coordination with empathy and communication skills, underscoring that effective transplant programs require both clinical efficiency and compassionate family engagement.
A significant highlight of the conference was the panel discussion on “Debate on Withdrawal of Life Support after Brain Death Certification in India – Yes or No?” This session brought together diverse perspectives, with experts engaging in thoughtful deliberations on the ethical, legal, and medical implications of withdrawing life support following brain death certification. The discussion underscored the complexity of decision-making in such cases and the importance of clear guidelines and ethical frameworks.
Another key session included a moderated panel discussion on “Financial Neutrality in Organ Donation”, which focused on ensuring that the process of organ donation remains free from any form of financial influence. The panel emphasized the need to protect donor families from financial burden while maintaining transparency and ethical integrity within the system.
In conclusion, the conference proved to be a valuable forum for knowledge exchange and professional engagement. It highlighted the urgent need for strengthening policy implementation, enhancing public awareness, building institutional capacity, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to advance the field of organ donation and transplantation in India.
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