India’s Largest Donor Recognition Wall Unveiled at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital to Mark World Organ Donation Day
New Delhi : BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital, Kengeri, unveiled the largest donor recognition wall in India, to mark World Organ Donation Day, observed every year on 13th of August. The donor wall was inaugurated at the hospital premises, on August 12. The wall is located outside the main entrance of the hospital and measures 8 ft in length and 22.5 ft in width. The structure is the largest constructed wall of honor in India so far, with capacity to accommodate up to 500 donor names in its first phase. A second phase of expansion on either side of the current wall has been provisioned for the future; increasing the total capacity to about 1500 names.
The inauguration took place in the presence of Revered Sri Sri Dr. Prakashnath Swamiji, Managing Director, BGS Group of Institutions & Hospitals and was attended by chief guests, Randeep D, I.A.S-Commissioner, Health & Family Welfare Services, Arogya Soudha and Mr Anurag Yadav-CEO, IHH Healthcare India. Other esteemed guests included Dr. M Indhumathi-Director, DHS, Dr. Kiran Kumar-Joint Director (Medical), Dr.Niranjan B.S-District Health & Family Welfare Officer, Mr Laxman B Nimbargi, IPS- Deputy Commissioner of Police and Dr M E Mohan- Principal, BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences.
During the event, Cluster COO of Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Bengaluru, Biju Nair said “We are extremely grateful to our transplant team of specialist doctors, intensive care doctors, nurses, and chief caregivers, especially Ms Sarala Ananthraj, for their tireless journey of saving lives. It’s a proud moment to dedicate this monument to the nation on the occasion of World Organ Donation Day and India’s 75thIndependence Day. We trust that this memorial will inspire many more hospitals and create a revolution in the minds of all stakeholders; motivating more people to opt for organ donations and to save more lives.”
“We have been actively collaborating with Foundations and government entities every year, to create awareness on organ donation and have received immense support from the health ministry officials and Jeevasarthakathe all throughout our program’s journey,” added Mr. Nair.
Organ donation offers a life-saving opportunity to individuals with organ failure and no alternatives to depend upon. The knowledge, attitude, and practices of medical professionals play a vital role in promoting the positive impact of organ donation.
Organs such as the heart, pancreas, liver, kidneys, and lungs can be transplanted to those recipients whose organs are failing, allowing them to return to a normal lifestyle.
Talking about the status of organ donation in India Dr. Anil Kumar BT, HOD and Sr. Consultant – Nephrologist and Transplant Physician, BGS Gleneagles Global Hospital said, “Although India performs the second largest number of transplants in the world, it lags behind several European and American countries in the donation rate (India-0.65 per million population vs Spain- 36.5 per million population). Hence, by creating awareness about organ donation and encouraging people to donate their organs, the gap between organ demand and supply can be reduced and more patients with organ failure can benefit from receiving these organs.”
While we are all capable of this benevolent act, millions of people do not volunteer to donate their organs upon death due to misconceptions surrounding the action. Religious restraints, lack of awareness, worries about what other people will think, and disinclination to share a loved one’s body are some of the constraints that prevent people from choosing to donate organs.
Chief Guest Mr Anurag Yadav, CEO, IHH Healthcare India commented,” As the pioneers and leading network of multi-organ transplant in India, we understand the enormous gap between the growing need for organs and their availability. This “Wall of Honor” is our humble tribute to the deceased and their families for their humanitarian gesture of organ donation. Their sacrifice will forever be remembered, and we are proud to highlight their names as generous donors on this wall. Through this initiative, we hope to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and inspire people to save lives.”
To register as a donor and get more information, please visit https://bit.ly/3bDuWoA