Lagging far behind the world leader

India is trying to increase the number of
local organ donors. Spain, the world leader, has 35.1 organ donors per million,
Britain 27, USA 26, Canada 14, and Australia 11. But India has only 0.08 donors
per million.

“It is paradoxical that a country like
ours with a billion plus population should have shortage of organs for
transplantation,” says health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Recently Mr Azad announced a national
program to boost organ donation. He plans to promote deceased organ donation, set
up a procurement system and a national distribution system, establish new
transplant facilities and train health care personnel. India may even register
willingness to donate on driving licences.

This ambitious program has to contend with
deep cultural prejudices. Dr S.K. Agarwal, a leading kidney specialist, told
the Times of India: “The concept of organ donation has not taken firm root
in India due to poor awareness and multiplicity of myths. For instance,
believers in reincarnation fear being born without donated organs in their next
life. There is a greater need for increasing awareness.” ~ Times
of India, Nov 27

Michael Cook
India
organ donation

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Michael Cook

Michael Cook edits BioEdge, a bioethics newsletter, and MercatorNet, an on-line magazine whose focus is human dignity. He writes from Sydney, Australia.

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