Written By: Shraddha Rupavate | Updated : December 12, 2014 12:02 PM IST
45-year-old Ashok Kumar, who died due to a serious illness, saved five other people with his pledge to donate his organs after his death. Ashok had suffered acid burns in the year 1995 and had a strong desire to donate all of his organs after being diagnosed with acoustic schwanomma six months ago.
Owing to his burn injuries, which he had been living with for 20 years, he could not get married. He owned a departmental store in Barnala in Punjab. After his condition began to deteriorate, he was hospitalised to PGIMER in a critical condition on December 8 in an emergency neurosurgery ward. 'Despite best efforts put in by experts, he lost his life and was declared brain-dead,' a PGIMER release said on Thursday.
Askhok's family, including his younger sister and elder brother, gave the consent to donate his organs as per his wish. 'After following all necessary procedures under Transplant of Human Organs Act, the donated organs were immediately harvested and utilised for saving lives of patients in need of the organs. However, due to his condition, Ashoks's heart could not be used for donation.
Organ donation in India:
The condition for organ donation in India has reached a critical stage. According to statistics by the World Health Organization (WHO), only 0.01 percent population of India agree to donate their organs after death, compared to 70-80 percent in Western countries. Despite best efforts and motivation, family members of brain dead patients do not agree for organ donation. Every month, PGIMER sees nearly 10-15 'brain-dead' patients, while the waiting list for those in need of cornea is 8000, kidney is 500, liver is 50 and for the heart it is 5. The courage and compassion shown by Kumar's family is commendable. Here's everything you need to know about organ donation.
Be a part of a courageous act and pledge to donate your organs after death. Here are a few things you need to keep in mind:
Image source: Getty Images
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