Orientation and Learning Visit – Imphal Program (June 16–20, 2025) - Reported by Mr. Vincent Debbarma, Project Lead, Tripura

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  (From Left to Right) Dr. Rakesh, Dr. Meitei, Mayarani Devi, Monica Devi, Dr. Rajendra, Bidyananda and Vincent

  

  Group photo at the Voluntary Blood Donation Camp at Babina Blood Centre, Khabeisoi

  

  MF team with Mr Santosh Shekhar (5th from Left to Right) at SHRI

  

  MOHAN Foundation team at JNIMS, Imphal

  

  Mr Vincent with the traditional lengyan(shawl) presented by the MF Imphal team

  

  Ms. Pritam explaining the concept of brain stem death

  

  Orientation session at the MF Imphal, Manipur office

  The objective of the training and exposure visit was to gain firsthand experience and orientation on the ongoing activities of MOHAN Foundation’s Manipur program based in Imphal.

  The visit was coordinated and facilitated by Ms. Laishram Monica Devi, Project Coordinator (Northeast) and Project Lead (Manipur). Mr. Vincent Debbarma (Project Lead, Tripura) participated in the training alongside Mr. Bidyananda Laishram, Senior Program Executive, and Ms. Thaudem Mayarani Devi, Program Executive, Manipur.

  Day 1 – June 16, 2025

  An orientation session was conducted at the MOHAN Foundation Manipur office by Ms. Monica Devi. Key topics covered included:

  • Whole body donation
  • Cornea donation (retrievable from home or hospital within 6 hours of death)
  • Types of death (brainstem death, natural death, circulatory death)
  • Process of pledging on the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) website
  • Overview of State Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO), Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (ROTTO), and NOTTO.
  • Explanation of Forms 8 and 10 (available on NOTTO website)

   

  During the session, Ms. Monica reviewed the awareness PowerPoint presentation and offered several recommendations:

  • Always refer to authentic sources such as the MOHAN Foundation and NOTTO websites for data—avoid relying on general internet searches.
  • Thoroughly study the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act 1994 (THOTA).
  • Understand the process and medical criteria involved in the diagnosis of brain death.

  Following the orientation, the team visited Kripadarshini Advanced Hospital in Konung Mamang, where they interacted with Dr. Rakesh Nongthombam, Anaesthetist at JNIMS, Imphal; Dr. Kangjam Sholay Meetei, Urologist and Transplant Surgeon at JNIMS; and Dr. Sinam Rajendra, Senior Urologist, Manipur.

  They also visited MOHAN Foundation’s office within the JNIMS premises to observe documentation and record-keeping practices.

   

  Day 2 – June 17, 2025

  Mr. Bidyananda Laishram conducted a session on administrative procedures followed by MOHAN Foundation in Manipur. The session covered:

  • Claiming travel allowances
  • Submitting monthly reporting templates for Azim Premji Foundation (APF), along with separate photo annexures.
  • Centre Head Report to be sent by the Tripura office to Ms. Monica.
  • Submission of monthly reports to GB Pant AGMC through its designated convener in charge.
  • Planning and executing a minimum number of activities and awareness sessions each month.
  • Use and distribution of IEC materials in the local language during awareness campaigns.

  Ms. Monica then continued with an in-depth presentation covering the following are topics:

  • Medico-legal cases (MLC)
  • Brain death declaration pathway
  • Role of the transplant coordinator
  • Collection of patient data (name, age, sex, diagnosis, blood group, cause of death, etc.)

  • Role of the treating physician and SOTTO: To identify potential donors, counsel families, coordinate retrieval, and ensure compliance with THOTA guidelines.
  • Explanation of key investigations such as cross-matching, tissue typing, and other related diagnostic procedures.

  • Explanation of Apnoea tests and Form 10
  • Mandatory display of Required Request (RR) boards in hospitals
  • Brain-death declaration and organ retrieval process
  • Composition and role of the transplant team

  In the afternoon, the team visited Shija Hospitals and Research Institute Pvt. Ltd. (SHRI), where they met Mr. Gunaremba, Transplant Coordinator, and discussed the number and nature of transplant cases handled by the hospital. They also interacted with Mr. Santosh Shekhar, General Manager, who shared insights on the hospital’s support systems during deceased organ donation and recommended initiating an awareness program at a nursing institute in Tripura. The visit concluded with a tour of the ICU and transplant operation theatre at SHRI.

   

  Day 3 – June 18, 2025

  The team participated in the 7th Trilogy Camp on blood, organ, and eye donation at Babina Blood Centre, Khabeisoi. The event was organized by the Association of Voluntary Blood Donors (AVBD), Personality and Talent Development Organization (PATDO), and partner organizations.

  An information and pledge counter was set up at the venue. Around 25 people visited the counter; two individuals pledged their eyes and organs through NOTTO.

   

  At 2:00 PM, a Zoom meeting was held with Dr. Muneet Kaur Sahi, Program Manager, MOHAN Foundation, NCR, to discuss reporting systems. Key points included:

  • Guidelines for preparing and submitting monthly and Centre Head reports
  • APF report for Tripura to cover the reporting period June 2025 to February 2026
  • Reports to be submitted before or on the 4th of every month
  • Start with a summary, followed by a detailed report (concise yet informative)
  • Possibility of conducting online awareness sessions
  • Detailed guidance on whole body donation.

   

  Yearly targets discussed:

  • No Transplant Coordinator Training for Tripura in the first year
  • Target of training 30 Ambassadors/Volunteers in Tripura
  • Sharing of impactful donor/recipient stories
  • Media coverage links to be attached with reports
  • Monthly updates to be maintained in a shared Google spreadsheet

   

  Day 4 – June 19, 2025

  The team visited S.S. Infotech to collect invoices and two laptops (for the Tripura and Manipur offices). Educational materials, including newsletters, FAQs, and leaflets, were also gathered for use in Tripura.

   

  In the second half of the day, the team visited the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, and met Ms. Chongtham Pritam, Medical Social Worker supporting the transplant program at RIMS.

   

  Key outcomes of the visit:

  • Clarified the process of gathering ICU-based brain death data for monthly reports
  • Ms. Pritam shared a sample hospital report format for better understanding
  • Discussion on conducting awareness sessions at RIMS with her assistance
  • She gave the team a tour of RR boards and IEC materials displayed near ICU and key hospital areas

   

  Day 5 – June 20, 2025

  A concluding meeting was held at the Manipur office. The Manipur team formally bid farewell to Mr. Vincent Debbarma with a traditional lengyan (shawl), wishing him success in leading MOHAN Foundation’s initiatives in Tripura.

  
  
  Source-Mr. Vincent Debbarma