Patna: Indian Organ Donation Day was observed at IGIMS on Saturday through a joint initiative by the State Organ Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO), Bihar, and the Dadhichi Deh Daan Samiti, with a renewed push towards raising awareness and pledges for organ donation across the state.
Dr Manish Mandal, Chairman of SOTTO Bihar, said efforts are being made to educate the public about the importance of organ and tissue donation, particularly at the grassroots level. “People can now conveniently pledge online via www.sottobihar.com or through the national NOTTO website,” he said. Offline pledge forms are also available at Room 224, Ward Block, 2nd Floor, IGIMS, Patna.
Dr Mandal added that SOTTO is working to activate well-equipped hospitals in Bihar to begin organ transplant programmes that meet national standards. “We are assessing several hospitals in Patna for their competency to conduct transplants efficiently,” he noted.
IGIMS Director Dr Bindey Kumar announced that awareness hoardings will be installed across the campus, including in waiting areas of wards and ICUs. He also pledged to promote awareness in all medical, Ayurvedic, and homeopathic colleges in Bihar in his capacity as Vice Chancellor of Bihar Medical University.
Dr Om Kumar, Dean and Head of Nephrology, stressed the need for organ donation pledges to be integrated early in life, pointing to international models where individuals are required to declare consent or refusal at birth.
Media consultant for SOTTO Bihar, Ms Seema, provided a detailed explanation of the online and offline pledge process.
Padma Shri awardee Vimal Jain highlighted the motivational efforts undertaken by Dadhichi Deh Daan Samiti to promote organ donation across the state.
Digha MLA Sanjiv Chaurasiya also shared his contributions, stating that he has been engaging with the public during his constituency visits to raise awareness. Sanjiv Yadav from Patna City delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to attendees for participating in the early morning programme.
