ROTTO PGIMER’s MANTHAN : 2024 -Witnesses the participation of over 150 delegates from across the region :

Addresses Challenges in Deceased Organ Donation

Advocates for Requisite Infrastructure, Motivated Healthcare Professsionals, Community Engagement as Critical Enablers

Felicitates Luminaries for their Contribution to the Cause

ROTTO (Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation) PGIMER hosted the MANTHAN 2024: Roundtable Workshop, focusing on navigating challenges and expediting deceased organ donation in Northern India.

Attended by over 150 delegates from hospitals across the region, including states of Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, the event underscored the urgent need for requisite infrastructure, motivated healthcare professionals, and community engagement to accelerate the deceased organ donation program.

Appropriately titled as MANTHAN : 2024, aimed to enhance stakeholder engagement, boost deceased organ donation rates, and address geographical disparities in Northern India. The workshop, organised under organized under the National Organ Transplant Programme, facilitated insightful discussions and actionable strategies.

Inaugurating the Workshop as Chief Guest, Prof. Vivek Lal, Director PGIMER complimented the proactive initiative and synergized efforts by ROTTO and other departments involved in the transplantation which paved the way for PGIMER being awarded as the best public sector hospital for five times for its contribution towards the promotion of cadaver organ donation.

Prof. Lal emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing to elevate organ donation rates, which remain insufficient to meet demand as he stated, “The donation rate might not be as advanced as what we would like it to be. Its high time that we reach out, collaborate and replicate the best practices of each other to up skill and upscale the donation rate, which is still abysmally low to meet the requirement. ”

During the inauguration, Director PGIMER unveiled a documentary highlighting ROTTO North’s endeavors, receiving widespread acclaim.

Complimenting PGIMER for doing a yeoman’s service to the nation in the field of organ donation and transplantation, Dr Anil Kumar, Director, National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), stated, “The solution to organ shortage and achievement of self-sufficiency in organ donation is possible only through systematic strengthening of the deceased donor programme. The three tier concept of setting up of national, regional and state units under National Organ Transplant Programme is an excellent step towards bridging the gap between need and availability”

“However, we need requisite infrastructure, motivated manpower and community engagement to accelerate the deceased organ donation programme and PGIMER with all these enabling factors perfectly in place, has set a role model for other hospitals in the country to emulate,” added Director NOTTO.

Tracing the journey of ROTTO and linkages between ROTTO and SOTTOs, Prof. Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER cum Nodal Officer, ROTTO (North) stated, “The cause calls for an integrated, synergized and sustained effort of the government, healthcare professionals, community and non-government organizations to create a culture of voluntary deceased organ donation.”

Public awareness and training of intensive care physicians were underscored by Prof. Meenu Singh, Executive Director & CEO of AIIMS Rishikesh, who highlighted the importance of instilling confidence in organ donation through standard operating procedures (SOPs) and continuous sensitization.

The workshop also witnessed expressions of support from Prof. A.K. Attri, Director Principal of GMCH Sector 32, and Dr. Amarjit Kaur, Senior Regional Director from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

The event honoured luminaries from various fields for their significant contributions to organ donation advocacy. Among them were  Diljott, Punjabi Film Actor, Dr. Suchet Sachdev, Assoc. Prof., Department of Transfusion Medicine PGIMER, Dr. Sukhpal Kaur, Principal NINE, NGO Vishav Manav Ruhani Kendra,  Gursharan Singh, Chief Security Officer, Amit Dewan, Founder President, SUKH Foundation and  Rakesh Sangar, President of Shree Shiv Kanwar Mahasang Charitable Trust,.

Discussions at the workshop encompassed challenges specific to Northern India, hospital-centric obstacles, and necessary reforms to bolster deceased organ donation programs. Practical training initiatives, including counseling, public education, and documentation, were emphasized as crucial elements.

Expert recommendations for accelerating deceased organ donation were formulated by a panel comprising distinguished professionals from medical institutions across the region.

The workshop concluded with enthusiastic participation and delegates acknowledging it as a valuable and enriching experience.