December 5, 2016, New Delhi – ORGAN India, an initiative of the Parashar Foundation organized a Collaborative Conclave for Organ Donation on 1st December, 2016 at India International Centre, New Delhi, along with NOTTO (National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation),so that NGOs that work in the area of organ donation across the country could come together for the first time on one platform. The NGOs, who were previously unconnected to one another, set collaborative goals, shared material, discussed challenges and set the agenda for collectively reaching out to millions of people in India for the next year along with the NOTTO and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
The Organ Receiving & Giving Awareness Network (ORGAN) India, is an initiative that was launched in March 2013 by The Parashar Foundation, (a Delhi-based NGO) to address the dismal state of deceased organ donation in India. They seek to remedy this shortage of organ donors, and help create an ecosystem to facilitate organ donation in India.
Dr. Padma Shri Dr. (Prof.) Jagdish Prasad, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India inaugurated the Conclave. Dr. Vimal Bhandari, Director, NOTTO, Anika Parashar (Trustee Parashar Foundation & Co-Founder, ORGAN India), Sunayana Singh, (Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, ORGAN India) Dr. Sudhir Gupta, Addl. DDG, MOHFW and Dr. Harsh Jauhari, Advisor NOTP, and the entire NOTTO team were all present at the Conclave.
17 NGOs from all across India, including those from Orissa, West Bengal, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Delhi were a part of the Conclave.
According to Ms. Anika Parashar, Co-Founder, ORGAN India and Trustee, Parashar Foundation, “This collaborative conclave will go a long way help in spreading awareness across the country about the importance of organ donation. Our collective aim is to educate the layman about the huge and life saving effects of being an organ donor. Various issues such as streamlining of donor cards and carrying out of a nationwide campaign on organ donation with help from NGOs was discussed.”
“Bringing all NGOs on one platform rather than working individually has always been one of our goals, and the Conclave was a resounding success as everyone discussed ways to collaborate as one entity to further the cause. Various issues NGOs face in regards to organ donation, body, skin and swap donation were discussed. Accreditation and recognition by NOTTO to various NGOs was also deliberated upon.”, said Sunayana Singh, CEO and co-founder of ORGAN India.
We are extremely happy that all NGOs are supporting us and have come here to be a part of the first Collaborative Conclave organised by ORGAN India. With the help of NGOs across the country we will be able spread awareness on organ donation throughout India and encourage more and more people to pledge their organs,” said Dr. Vimal Bhandari. “All the NGOs have done remarkable work and NOTTO is happy to work with all NGOs who are promoting the cause of organ donation.”