A wave of renewed hope is sweeping across Kerala, ignited by the profound courage of families who, despite their immeasurable grief, chose to donate the vital organs of their loved ones after tragic road accidents last month. These selfless acts have brought a much-needed spotlight back to Mrithasanjeevani, the state’s government-backed deceased donor organ donation program.
This surge in organ pledging activities signals a critical shift in public sentiment. For a while, Mrithasanjeevani had faced challenges, including legal complexities around brain death certification and speculative conspiracy theories fueled by popular Malayalam films like Joseph. Now, it appears public interest is not just rekindled but truly reignited.
The numbers speak volumes: in September alone, more than a thousand individuals officially registered their intent to become organ donors through the Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation’s (K-SOTTO) website, committing to donate their organs posthumously.
This renewed enthusiasm has significantly boosted Kerala’s standing in the National Organ Donors’ Registry. Just two months prior, the state ranked 12th; it has now proudly climbed to 10th place, with a total of 8,529 individuals pledging their organs as of October 4th. Notably, Thiruvananthapuram district leads this compassionate movement, boasting 2,087 registered donors.
Further demonstrating this growing commitment, the All Kerala Bank Retirees’ Forum recently hosted an organ pledging drive in the capital. As a sideline event to their annual conference, this initiative saw 75 people signing their consent forms for organ donation, contributing to the broader cause.
The hope is that as more citizens step forward to pledge their organs, it will spark vital conversations about Mrithasanjeevani and firmly establish organ donation as a truly noble, selfless, and life-affirming gift within the community.
Basil Saju, Joint Director of K-SOTTO, emphasizes the long-term impact: “While only a small percentage of these pledges may ultimately lead to actual organ donations, these organized pledging drives are crucial. They help normalize organ donation, transforming it into an accepted process and a cultural norm, which is incredibly important for its future.”
Important Considerations for Organ Donation
It’s crucial for all prospective organ donors to understand that a pledge for post-death organ donation typically only becomes a reality in cases of brain death, not natural death. K-SOTTO regularly conducts orientation sessions to educate groups about this critical distinction, ensuring informed decisions.
Furthermore, an individual’s organ pledge is simply an expression of intent and not a legally binding document. The ultimate decision to donate organs after death rests entirely with the immediate family. Without their explicit written consent, the donation cannot proceed, even if the deceased had previously pledged their organs.
Therefore, if you aspire to be an organ donor, having honest and open conversations with your family about your wishes is paramount. This proactive dialogue can significantly ease their decision-making process and facilitate their consent should a donation opportunity arise.
Doctors’ Legal Responsibility in Organ Donation
Noble Gracious, Executive Director of K-SOTTO, highlights another crucial aspect: “It’s equally vital for ICU doctors to understand their legal obligation. Under the Rules of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, once a person is declared deceased — whether by circulatory or brainstem death — doctors must formally inquire with the family whether the individual had expressed a desire to donate their organs.”
Dispelling a common misconception, vital organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys cannot be donated after a natural death. These organs rapidly lose functionality and viability once blood circulation ceases.
Instead, the donation of these major vital organs is exclusively possible in cases of brain death, which is defined as the irreversible cessation of all brain activity.
However, even after a natural death, certain tissues like corneas, skin, heart valves, and bones can still be donated, provided it occurs within a specific timeframe.
It’s also important to note that a person’s organs would be deemed unsuitable for donation if they had active Hepatitis B or C, cancer, or HIV.