A CME on “Awareness on Organ Donation” was held at the Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Hospital & Reseach  Centre,  Ariyur, Pondicherry on 20^th November 2012.  It was organised by Dr Mousumi Sen, Assistant Professor of the Department of Forensic Medicine. MOHAN Foundation was invited to speak about the legal and ethical issues as well as the practical aspects of Organ Donation.  It was attended by the interns, students (both post-graduates & undergraduates) and faculties of the Medical College. In all there were 200 participants approximately.

 

The CME was inaugurated by Director of the Medical College, Dr. Nithyananthan (Professor of Surgery).  A wide range of issues were covered in the CME. The Topics and their Speakers were:

 

Organ Transplantation & Donation in India an Overview by Dr. Biswajit Paul, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine;

 

Diagnosis of Brain Death by Dr. Swati, Assistant Professor, Dept. of General Medicine;

 

Role of Pathologist in Organ Transplantation, by Dr. Govindraj, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pathology;

 

Awareness on Eye Donation, by Dr. Harshila Jain, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Ophthalmology.

 

Hemal Kanvinde introduced the work of MOHAN Foundation, followed by a talk on the Legal and Ethical issues in Organ Donation and Transplantation. The participants were told about the Act and its amendment and the importance of local Governments Orders in the smooth running of an organ donation process. Mr. Vijay spoke on the Practical Aspects of Organ Donations & explained the protocols followed at the Government General Hospital in Chennai. 50 copies of "Priceless Gift" and Donor Cards were submitted to Dr Sen for distribution among the participants. 

 

Concluding remarks were given by Dr. V.N. Thulasiraman, Professor of General Surgery and Vote of Thanks by Dr. Siva Reddy, Professor of Forensic Medicine.