The essentials of organ donation
Organ donation is one of the most respectable yet risky activities that most people perform willingly. It is, in other words, the act of lending an organ to those who are in need. Kidney, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, corneas and tissues are some of the organs donated. Normally, the process of organ donation is undertaken after the death of the donor. Again, not all organs are donated after the death of the donor. In India, almost 5 lakh transplants are said to take place around a year.
Importance of Organ Donation
Organ donation should not be an act of compulsion. It should be performed only with the consent of the donor. It is also something which is to be done after the heath levels of the donor is measured and assured. The following are some of the reasons to which organ donation is considered important:
Donors have no restrictions
The fact is that there are no barriers or restrictions placed in organ donation. The criteria like age, gender, the location of stay are no restrictions for the process. The consent of the donor is just the solid proof for the process to take place. If the donor is younger than 18 years, then he or she needs to have the elder’s consent. Again, under serious conditions like HIV, diabetes and other such issues, the donors are often restricted.
Zero expense to the donors
An organ donation does not cost anything to the donors. All of it is to be covered up by the recipient in fact. Also, under certain circumstances, it is covered up through the recipient’s insurance policy. Similarly, all the hospital expenses of the recipient are to be fully incurred by the donor. Finally, it should be noted that the donation takes place with the consent of the donor.
Done on a purpose
Coupled with the permission of the donor, the recipient should provide needful proof for the organ donation. The surgical process should only happen with mutual consent. Moreover, the donation process must be registered with sufficient legal documents. This then supports the cause to which such an act is performed.
Common Types of Organ Donation
There are many different types of organ donation that are performed as per the need of the recipient. The following are the different types of organ donation:
Selective organ donation
This type of organ donation is open to all age categories. However, it performed either immediately after death or at the deathbed. Also, a neuro-testing is conducted before the process is conducted. Then again, it is said to be done after the circulatory death as a life-sustaining method. This method is therefore called a living donation method. This is because the life of the donor and the recipient are retained after the process.
Cornea donation
Cornea donation unlike the other types of donation is restricted to certain age categories. Further, it is considered significant as it replaces the donor’s sight. Uniquely, it is said that one cornea can save two lives. Since eye health levels keep deteriorating with an increase in age, cornea donation is restricted to a particular age. Similarly, people who are infected with eye diseases are excepted from the process of cornea donation.
Bone marrow and blood cell donation
This organ donation is also a non-compulsive process. Therefore, the donors can donate their bone marrows and blood cells when alive. It is performed in two sessions that take an average of 8 hours and 4 to 6 hours respectively. Likewise, an average of 7 to 10 days is said to be sufficient for the donor’s recovery. Ideally, the median time for a bone marrow and blood cell donation is one week.
Things to do before an organ donation
I hope this article helped you to understand the various perspectives and importance of organ donation. Indiana hospital and heart institute are one of the best hospital healthcare centers in Mangalore, Karnataka. We offer latest medical service equipped with advanced technology and a mind of compassion. Our specialized departments with expert doctors are always at your service. Well-trained paramedics team is available 24×7 for emergency services.
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