Srinagar, Apr 29 (KNO): Organ donation remains alarmingly rare in Jammu and Kashmir, with doctors and health officials stressing the urgent need to build public awareness and encourage voluntary participation to save lives, as the region continues to lag behind despite advancements in medical science, particularly in deceased donations.
At present, only limited organ donations, mainly kidneys within families, are taking place in the Union Territory.
Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, a DHSK doctor posted in Shopian, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the deceased organ donation has not yet fully taken off in the region. "Currently, deceased donation is largely restricted to eye donation, and even that sees very little participation. People are still hesitant to come forward," he said, underlining the need for a cultural and informational shift.
He said a single organ donor has the potential to save or improve the lives of more than eight individuals. Organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, and intestines can be transplanted, while tissues like corneas can restore eyesight.
"Organ donation offers a second chance at life to patients suffering from end-stage organ failure," Dr Lone said.
Doctors said that despite the availability of skilled professionals and infrastructure, the major hurdle remains the lack of donors. Many patients in J&K suffering from kidney, liver, and heart failure are on long waiting lists, with limited chances of receiving timely transplants due to the shortage of organs.
Dr Shabir Ahmad from DHSK said the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) has been carrying out awareness campaigns across Jammu and Kashmir for several years, encouraging people to come forward and pledge their organs after death. The initiative has witnessed an encouraging response, with hundreds of individuals voluntarily registering as organ donors.
"One organ donor can save multiple lives. Yet, a lack of awareness and hesitation continues to limit the number of donors," he said.
Experts explained that deceased organ donation involves retrieving organs from brain-dead donors, with strict medical protocols in place. A specialised team transports organs through a "green corridor" to ensure timely transplantation. Each organ has a limited viability window, ranging from 4 to 36 hours, making efficient coordination crucial.
Doctors said reliance on living donors alone cannot meet the growing demand. "Not everyone has a suitable living donor. To bridge the gap between demand and supply, deceased organ donation is essential," they said.
With thousands of patients across India awaiting life-saving transplants, healthcare professionals in J&K believe increasing public awareness and breaking social taboos around organ donation is the need of the hour. "Organ donation is not just a medical procedure but a humanitarian act that gives hope, dignity, and a renewed life to those in need," doctors said, urging people across Jammu and Kashmir to come forward and pledge to this life-saving cause—(KNO)