People have many false perceptions about organ donation. The number of patients waiting for a match is increasing every single day. According to a survey, 90% of people are in favor of organ donation but only 20% made the actual arrangements for organ donation and registered themselves for donation.
We are here to bust some of the common myths which make people hesitant to become a donor. In reality, one person can save almost up to 8 lives and can make the living standard better for as many as 70 people.
Organ Donation results in the Mutilation of the Body
A team of specialists who are well trained performs these surgeries and special care is taken to not damage the dignity of the donor.
Donor’s Identity
The true identity of the donor is confidential. It is not revealed until recipients request it. A team of coordinators reveals the true identity in this case.
Religious Restrictions
Many people believe that their religion does not allow organ donation. Especially after death, it is not ethical to cut open the dead body and remove the different body parts.
All the prominent religions like Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism support organ donation. Teachings of religions are following the importance of saving someone’s life. In Islam, saving one person’s life is considered equivalent to saving the whole of the humanity.
Is there a need to talk to the family about becoming an organ donor?
It is important to talk to your family after becoming a donor. Most of the time relatives refuse to donate organs after the death of the donor. Registration alone is not enough to donate organs. Similarly, after death, relatives can consent for organ donation even without registration.
Which organs to donate?
Many people think that other organs are also removed along with the organ registered for donation. This is a false belief. Only organs registered for donation are removed.
Brain-dead is like a Coma
Coma is an irreversible state and a person can get better, but the brain-dead person is dead for real. Only the ventilator keeps the person breathing but that person cannot recover. So, organs can be removed conveniently because a person feels no pain.
Who are fit for organ donation?
Organ donors are screened thoroughly before declaring them fit for organ donation. If you have any serious illness or chronic disease, you may not be able to donate the organ.
Is it expensive to become a donor?
Once you decide to donate an organ, you don’t have to pay for anything. All the bills are paid by the recipient and the institution.
Who is not included in the recipients’ list?
Substance abusers are not considered eligible for receiving an organ donation until they quit the drug. In this way, no donated organ goes to waste.
Conclusion
Many people want to donate but are afraid of many superstitions surrounding this donation. To make it easy for the donors, there is a need to create awareness and clear the misconceptions. By encouraging more donations by the dead, will decrease the need for living donors. Many people die every year while waiting for the donation. This can be prevented by educating people on safe organ donation.