In a landmark initiative for Uttarakhand, major hospitals from across the state came together on a unified platform on February 21, 2026, for a one day workshop titled “Strengthening Organ Donation and Transplantation Processes in Uttarakhand.” The workshop was organized by SOTTO Uttarakhand in collaboration with MOHAN Foundation at Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and coordination of healthcare professionals in deceased organ donation and transplant processes.
Inaugural Session:
The day began with the inaugural ceremony and lamp lighting, graced by:
Dr. Shikha Jangpangi, Director, Medical Health and Family Welfare, Uttarakhand
Dr. Ajay Arya, Director, Medical Education, Uttarakhand
Dr. Preeti Pant, Additional Director, Medical Health and Family Welfare, Uttarakhand
Dr. Deepak Gupta, Professor of Neurosurgery, AIIMS New Delhi
Dr. Ravindra Singh Bisht, Joint Director, SOTTO Uttarakhand
Dr. Atul Kumar Singh, Nodal Officer, SOTTO Uttarakhand.
Ms. Pallavi Kumar, Executive Director, MOHAN Foundation, NCR.
Following the ceremony, Mr. Sanchit Arora, Project Leader, MF, Uttarakhand delivered the welcome address, outlined the agenda, and expressed gratitude to Dr. Atul Kumar Singh for his constant support.
Scientific Sessions, Panel Discussions and Interactive Deliberations on Deceased Organ Donation
The workshop brought together leading experts from across the state and country to deliberate on diverse aspects of deceased organ donation and transplantation. The event provided a multidisciplinary platform for knowledge sharing, clinical insights, regulatory clarity, and collaborative dialogue to strengthen organ donation systems in Uttarakhand.
Scientific Sessions
The scientific sessions focused on key medical, ethical, and procedural aspects of deceased organ donation and transplantation. The sessions were delivered by Dr. Deepak Gupta, Ms. Pallavi Kumar, Dr. Atul Kumar Singh, and Dr. Karamveer Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of General Surgery, AIIMS Rishikesh.
The sessions were chaired by distinguished professionals including Dr. Shikha Jangpangi, Dr. Preeti Pant, Dr. Rohit Gupta, Head, Department of Gastroenterology, AIIMS Rishikesh; Dr. Sonika Agarwal, Head, Critical Care, Himalayan Hospital, SRHU, Dehradun; Dr. Rajeev Sarpal, Associate Professor, Urology, Himalayan Hospital, SRHU, Dehradun; Dr. Vimal Dixit, Associate Professor, SGRR Institute, Dehradun; Dr. Shikhar Agarwal, Professor and In-charge, Urology, Himalayan Hospital, SRHU, Dehradun; Dr. Alok Kumar, Head, Nephrology, SGRR Institute, Dehradun; and Dr. Vikas Kumar Chandel, Associate Professor, Nephrology, Himalayan Hospital, SRHU, Dehradun.
An engaging interactive discussion followed the scientific sessions. Participants raised practical and policy-level questions, including the number of doctors required to be approved by the Appropriate Authority for brain death certification; the process of arranging eligible doctors to conduct the apnea test and complete brain death certification in the absence of an internal committee or specialist such as a neurologist or intensivist; the rationale for requiring family consent even when an individual has pledged for organ donation, and how to manage situations where family members hold differing views; and strategies for strengthening multi-level organ donation programs. The discussion provided clarity on regulatory requirements, ethical considerations, and systemic improvements needed to enhance deceased organ donation practices.
Panel Discussions
The workshop also featured two focused panel discussions addressing strategic and clinical challenges.
Panel Discussion 1: The Road Ahead for Uttarakhand was moderated by Dr. Rohit Gupta. The discussion emphasized strengthening institutional preparedness, improving inter-departmental coordination, enhancing public awareness, and addressing medico-legal considerations. The panel comprised Dr. Sunita Suman, Assistant Professor, Surgical Gastroenterology, AIIMS Rishikesh; Dr. Puneet Arora, Head, Nephrology, Max Hospital, Dehradun; Dr. Neeraj Kumar, Head, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, GDMC, Dehradun; Dr. Mayank Nautiyal, Senior Consultant, Surgical Gastroenterology, Max Hospital, Dehradun; Dr. Shikhar Agarwal, Associate Professor and In-charge, Urology, Himalayan Hospital, SRHU, Dehradun; Mr. Gopal Narang, Charter President, Lions Club Rishikesh Devbhoomi; and Mr. Ravi Khatri, Senior Journalist, Amar Ujala. The session highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts among healthcare institutions, legal authorities, and community stakeholders to build a robust organ donation framework in the state.
Panel Discussion 2: Real-Life Scenarios was moderated by Dr. Deepak Gupta and explored common pitfalls in brain death determination, brain death mimics, spinal reflexes, and the role of ancillary testing. The discussion addressed real-world challenges faced in critical care settings and deliberated on appropriate solutions. The panel of critical care intensivists included Dr. Sonika Agarwal; Dr. Shantanu Belwal, Head, Critical Care, Max Hospital, Dehradun; Dr. Nidhi Gupta, Assistant Professor, Anaesthesia, GDMC, Dehradun; and Dr. Richa Tiwari, SGRR Institute, SMIH, Dehradun.
Additional Sessions and Activities
A dedicated session on the “Role of SOTTO/ROTTO/NOTTO in Deceased Organ Donation and Allocation” was delivered by Dr. Atul Kumar Singh. The session provided insight into the regulatory and coordination mechanisms governing organ allocation at the state, regional, and national levels.
An interactive activity on the Deceased Organ Donation Pathway, facilitated by Ms. Pallavi Kumar, enabled participants to engage in a structured review of the step-by-step hospital-based organ donation process, reinforcing practical implementation strategies within healthcare institutions.
Conclusion
The workshop concluded with a formal vote of thanks. Participation certificates and a resource manual designed as a quick reference guide were distributed to all delegates. Approximately 80 delegates participated in the workshop, reflecting strong professional engagement and commitment toward strengthening deceased organ donation practices in the region.
-ACT,-2011.gif){kind=spacer}
