On 21^st September, 2013 an organ donation and transplantation awareness session was organized by Punarjani Charitable Trust. The Trust constitutes a group of like-minded members both from a medical and non-medical background from Pandalam, Pathanamthitta, Kerala who have come together with the aim of starting an organization to promote organ donation. Punarjani invited Mrithasanjeevani, the State deceased organ donation programme to come educated their members on organ donation and transplantation and also to clarify their doubts. The session was held at the Conference Hall, Shyne Hotel, Pandalam.

 

The session started with a welcome speech delivered by Mr. A. D. Rengadasan, Retired Assistant Executive Engineer. Following which; the chief guest Mr. A. G. Soman Nayar, Retired Principal, NSS College, Pandalam addressed the gathering.

 

The session was conducted by Mr. Aneesh P V, Transplant Coordinator, MOHAN Foundation – deputed at Medical College Trivandrum, Kerala. In his talk he spoke about: organ donation, difference between brain death and come, tissue donation, the importance of the donor card, the procedure for whole body donation in Kerala, role of transplant coordinators, structure of Mrithasanjeevani, and kerala Network for Organ Sharing (KNOS) website.

 

The participants raised a few queries such as if there is a possibility of disfigurement of the body when organs are retrieved, about the procedures involved in eye donation and the time within which eyes can be donated after death.

 

A total of 15 members participated in the event and all of them signed the donor card. Finally; the vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. John Mamen, Secretary, Punarjani Charitable Trust, Kerala.