I appreciate Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant (SIUT) and the Transplant Society of Pakistan (TSP). 7th April was observed as ‘Organ Donation Day’ by SIUT and TCP.
Transplant surgeons are of view that our country is facing acute shortage of cadaver organ donations and because of that around 50,000 lives are lost every year.
In countries like ours, it is very difficult to start such positive activities. There are a lot of myths, superstitions and misconceptions. In this modern era of communication, dominant majority of our intellectuals and the intelligentsia uses social media.
We can launch campaign to give awareness and to encourage people for national cause of cadaver organ donation. Social media can prove to be an effective tool for this national cause. Moreover, democratically elected head of state President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari pledged to donate his organs in 2010.
It was a boost to this national cause. He is role model for all Pakistanis. He is co-chairperson of Pakistan’s largest political party. Hats off to President of Pakistan, who undermined all superstitions and myths attatched with cadaver organ donation. President of Pakistan came forward and became a donor and set great example for others. He is an exemplar.
Leaders of all political and religious parties need to follow him in order to boost our national cause. The head of state has become an organ donor, then why not we common men?
Country’s sports and media stars, community and religious leaders, judges, politicians, campaigners and civil society activists must be inspired by Zardari’s exemplary act to further this national cause. In my view, we all should follow Zardari’s footsteps and we should pledge to donate our organs. By doing so we can save 50,000 lives a year.
DR SAIFUR REHMAN
Islamabad
