On 17^th June 2019, Dr Hemal Kanvinde and Ms. Ishwarya Thyagarajan of MOHAN Foundation visited the Preston International College in Alwarpet, Chennai to deliver a talk on organ donation and discuss Islam and organ donation. The Preston International College, a unit of Professional Education and Research Foundation - (PERF) Trust offers courses in Islamic Studies and Arabic language.

 

The audience was a group of Administration staff and Faculty. Prof Shaikh Ameen Ahmed Madani, HOD welcomed the audience and explained the purpose of the session. The session began with a video of a heart transplant recipient sharing his pre- and post-transplant experiences. Dr Hemal then began talking about the concepts of organ donation. The following themes were discussed:

• Organ donation and transplantation
• Types of death
• Types of donors
• Brain death
• Organs and tissues that could be donated
• Transplantation Law in India
• Myths related to organ donation
• Life after transplant
• Activities of MOHAN Foundation

 

The audience found the session very informative and interesting. They had questions relating to the following points that were discussed:

• Brain death – why is it equivalent to death
• Skin donation – how is it done and who needs it
• The transplantation process in hospitals
• Success rates of transplant surgeries in India
• Life expectancy after transplants
• Organ allocation
• Living donations
• Quality of life after transplants
• Sanctity of the body while and after organ retrieval

 

The session ended with a motivational video played for the audience to drive home the organ donation message. Dr. Hamidullah Jilani – Pediatrician and Senior Medical Officer (Former), Govt. Kilpauk Medical Hospital, thanked the participants and MOHAN Foundation for their time.

 

A short discussion on organ donation in Islam involving the Foundation staff, Dr. Jilani, Prof Ameen and Mr Azeezur Rehman, the Operations Manager followed the presentation. Ways to improve the organ donation rates among Muslims and seeking their consent for donations were the focus of the discussion. MOHAN Foundation is thankful to the Preston International College for the opportunity and their support for the cause.