Anyone regardless of age, race, or gender can become an organ and tissue donor after his or her death (brain stem/cardiac). Consent of near relative or a person in lawful possession of the dead body is required. If the deceased donor is under the age of 18 years, then the consent required from one of the parent or any near relative authorized by the parents is essential.

If different organs and tissues are in medically fit conditions, following organs and tissues can be donated:

Brain stem death is an irreversible condition that results from a severe injury to the brain. All areas of the brain get damaged, stop functioning and a person cannot sustain on his/her own. Vital body functions are maintained through a ventilator, which supplies oxygen and enables the heart to beat. This maintains blood circulation to the vital organs, which can be harvested for organ transplantation. This is a unique situation where the person has died but his/her organs can still be retrieved for the purpose of transplantation for others living with end stage organ failure.
Isn’t that remarkable?

Yes, As per the Transplantation of Human Organs Act 1994 brain stem death is legally accepted as death.

Coma is a state of deep unconsciousness that occurs because the brain is injured in some way. The brain still functions and this can be seen in the tests that are performed. The person will be able to breathe on his own without the ventilator. The brain can heal in state of coma. While brain stem death is an irreversible condition, which results from a severe brain injury, or hemorrhage, which causes all the brain activity to stop. This can happen after a major road accident or bleeding in the brain due to stroke.

Organ donation cannot take place from patients in coma.

Organ donation is the donation of human organs or tissues from a living or dead person to a living recipient in need of a transplantation.

The donor is declared brain stem dead by a panel of 4 doctors in a hospital authorized to do so. A series of tests are conducted 6 hours apart and only then the person is declared brain stem dead.

The doctor who is treating the patient will explain to the family about brain-stem death. If the family is willing for organ donation, they can approach the counselor of the hospital, the Transplant Coordinator or the doctors and nursing staff of the ICU. Once consent for organ donation has been obtained, coordinating the process of organ retrieval begins. The family has to sign a consent form as defined by the Act.

The family’s decision, agreement or refusal to donate, is considered final.

Yes, in most circumstances you can be a donor. Having a medical condition does not necessarily prevent a person from becoming an organ or tissue donor. The decision about whether some or all organs or tissues are suitable for transplant is made by a healthcare professional, taking into account your medical history.

Organ donation is the donation of human organs or tissues from a living or dead person to a living recipient in need of a transplation

Donation of an organ or tissue provides an unparalleled opportunity to give someone a second chance of life. Your donation is not only impacting the life of one person or family, but it is of overall help for the society as a whole.

Most families who have made this brave decision have expressed that it helped in their grieving and healing process.

No, the recovery of organs is carried out by well-trained surgeons with the greatest care and does not disfigure the body or change the way it looks.

There is no cost to the donor’s family. In fact once a family agrees for donation, all expenses thereafter until handing over the body to the relatives is borne by the hospital/recipient/NGO or society as decided by the respective State Government.

No, the ‘Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994’ prohibits buying and selling of organ and makes it a punishable offence. It has significant financial as well judicial implications.

No. Organ and tissue recovery takes place only after all efforts to save your life have been exhausted and death has been declared. The doctors working to save your life are entirely separate from the medical team involved in recovering organs and tissues.

Your vital organs will be transplanted into those individuals who need them most urgently. Organs are matched to recipients on the basis of suitability, urgency of the transplant, duration on the waiting list and geographical location. Tissues (corneas/bone/skin) are occasionally matched e.g. for size & tissue type, but otherwise are freely available to any patient in need of a transplant.

No. The identity of both the donor & recipient remains confidential, only the basic information is provided to both the recipients and donor families after the transplant.

You can be an organ donor by signing a ‘Donor Card’ from any hospital or NGO. A donor card is not a legal document; it is only an expression of your willingness. If a person has a donor card, it means that he/she is willing to donate organs upon death. Remember that in our country even if you have signed the donor card, it is important to bring your family in consensus with your wish, as their decision will be considered final. Your pledge with us will be handed over to NOTTO (National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization), which is a national registry.

Yes. This can be done at any point. Just tear off the donor card that you carry and again inform your family members that you no longer want to be an organ donor. Additionally send an email at info@mohanfoundation.org stating your wish so that the changes are effected in the donor pledge registry.

In eye donation, the clear, transparent portion covering the black of the eye is removed and not the entire eyeball. The donated eyes have to be harvested within 6 hours of death and the retrieval process takes 20 minutes.
Precautions to be taken for eye donation

• Close the eyes of the deceased & place wet cotton balls on them
• Switch off the fan & switch on the AC if available
• Raise the head on a pillow
• Call the Eye Bank (1919)

Please search for the Hospitals/NGOs accepting whole body donation in your city at
https://www.mohanfoundation.org/body-donation-hospitals.asp?page=4&startpage=1&city=&state=&searchname=