ORBO's Tribute to Organ Donors: A Heartfelt Ceremony at AIIMS

The Organ Retrieval Banking Organisation (ORBO) at AIIMS New Delhi honored organ and tissue donors through a heartfelt donor felicitation programme. The ceremony highlighted the significance of organ donations and promoted awareness through various campaigns and activities, involving medical professionals and the general public.

The Organ Retrieval Banking Organisation (ORBO) at AIIMS New Delhi hosted a 'Donor Felicitation Programme' today to honor organ and tissue donors. 'Every year, we lose many patients to end-stage organ failure due to the lack of available organs and tissues. We must overcome myths and foster a positive attitude towards donation,' said Professor Kaushal Kumar Verma, Head of Dermatology and Venereology at AIIMS New Delhi.

Professor Verma also expressed deep gratitude to the donors and their families for their life-saving contributions amid their grief. The event was a poignant gathering for donor families, transplant recipients, and attendees. Among the honored guests were the grandparents of a 2.5-year-old, the youngest heart donor to date.

'We miss our little Divyanshi terribly. She was declared brain dead after a tragic fall. We urge other families in such unfortunate situations to consider organ donation,' said her family.

ORBO has been proactive in promoting organ and tissue donation through extensive campaigns and public awareness initiatives. Collaborating with the BSF, they have conducted pledging drives where many officers and soldiers committed to donating their organs and tissues. ORBO also organized school competitions and public performances to spread the message.

Highlighting the complex nature of organ transplantation, Prof. Aarti Vij, Head of ORBO, emphasized the coordinated efforts required from various stakeholders including donor families, medical teams, and law enforcement. 'Many volunteers, NGOs, and the media support this noble cause. We regularly update our website and e-book with the stories of these brave souls to honor their legacy,' Prof. Vij stated.

Balram, a Transplant Coordinator at ORBO, underscored the emotional support required for donor families during grief counseling, noting the empathetic approach necessary to build trust and confidence in the process.

AIIMS New Delhi offers a wide range of transplantation facilities, and through ORBO, it continues to lead mass awareness and training programs for medical staff and the public alike.

(With inputs from agencies.)