Organ donation is the gift of ones body parts after death for the purpose of transplantation. Transplantation is an operation which involves the replacement of diseased and defective organs and tissues with healthy ones from donors. This treatment helps save lives of people. Organ and tissue donation is the ultimate humanitarian act of charity.
The commonly transplanted organs are kidneys, heart, liver, lungs and pancreas while the transplantable tissues are eyes, bones, skin and heart valves. Thus a single donor can save the lives of a number of people.
While tissues such as eyes, bones etc can still be donated after the heart and respiration have ceased to function, the organs heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas need to be taken and preserved while the heart and respiration are still functioning. This situation occurs in brain death where there is irreversible cessation of brain function but the heart and lungs can still be supported by drugs and machines.
The process begins only after brain death has been confirmed by two registered doctors. The doctors involved with certification of death are not involved in the transplant operation at all. After death has been confirmed, the question of organ and tissue donation will be discussed with the relatives of the deceased.
 Click here to return to Articles Section
|
