On the occasion of Indian Organ Donation Day, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai (AHNM), a leading multi-specialty quaternary care hospital, today unveiled a unique wall of remembrance to honor deceased organ donors who have given the gift of life to patients with end-stage organ disease. The hospital paid tribute to the deceased donors and felicitated their families.
The event was graced by Chief Guests, Shri Rajesh Narvekar, Commissioner, NMMC and Shri Milind Bharambe, Commissioner of Police, Navi Mumbai.
Mr. Santosh Marathe, Regional CEO – Western Region, Apollo Hospitals, said, “AHNM runs a very active transplant program covering liver, kidney and heart transplants. 20% of the cases undertaken at AHNM as of date are from deceased organ donation. The Wall of Remembrance in memory of the deceased organ donors will not only honor their generous act but also encourage people to volunteer for organ donation. The Wall is a testament to the courage and benevolence of the families of these donors who had a catastrophic and irreversible brain injury leading to brain death.
It is a difficult decision for the family to donate the organs of their loved ones and we are grateful that they made the noble choice of giving the gift of life. One donor can save the life of up to 8 patients. Supporting this cause at every step, I am happy and proud to announce that more than 137 staff from our hospital have pledged to donate their organs. We hope that the Wall of Remembrance will motivate more individuals and families to pledge to donate organs after death and spread awareness about the importance of organ donation.”
Prof. Darius Mirza, Lead Consultant Liver & HPB Programme, Apollo Hospitals, Western Region, said, “The life-saving power of organ transplants in patients affected by terminal organ failures is unmatched. The need for donor organs far outweighs the available supply, and organ shortage is the ultimate challenge to wider availability of life-saving organ transplantation. Donation after brain death (DBD) remains one of the primary sources for organ transplants in most countries. However, in 2021, only about 14% were cadaveric donors. In view of the increasing gap between organs required for transplant and organs donated, it is extremely important to spread awareness about organ donation.
At Apollo Hospitals, we are grateful to have been at the forefront of organ transplantation and witness the transformative power of deceased organ donation, where lives are saved and renewed, where hope is restored, and where families find solace in knowing that their loved ones live on.”
Shri Rajesh Narvekar, Commissioner, NMMC said, “On the occasion of Indian Organ Donation Day, I would like to salute the selfless deeds of organ donors and their families. This Wall of Remembrance will no doubt go a long way in promoting organ donation in India. Organ donation is a precious gift of life, transforming moments of despair into rays of hope.”
Shri Milind Bharambe, Commissioner of Police, Navi Mumbai said, “The Navi Mumbai police have been supporting medical professions in their efforts to transplant organs and save lives. We have helped to create green corridors so that the harvested organs reach the recipients swiftly and hope that our efforts have helped the transplant surgeons save lives and give hope to the families of the patients. I am sure that this Wall of Remembrance will encourage people to register as organ donors.”
The solid organ transplant program at Apollo Hospitals, which covers heart, lung, kidney, and liver transplants, consists of specialized transplant teams that work incessantly to save lives. They provide personalized and all-encompassing care to patients, implementing a unified strategy that results in a success rate of 99.9% for kidney transplants and 94% for liver transplants. These impressive figures at par with the best in the world, underscore the team’s commitment and the advanced medical technology they utilize. It results in accelerated recovery and enhanced post-operative outcomes, including effective pain management and rapid scar healing. Notably, the life-saving transplant operations continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the rigorous infection control measures in place.
