Certain myths around organ donation in India often discourages people: Choubey

There are many myths and misconceptions around organ donation in our country and people often get discouraged due to the superstitions around it, Union minister Ashiwini Kumar Choubey said on Tuesday.

The Union minister of State for Health and Family Welfare was addressing the gathering at 9th Indian Organ Donation Day celebrations by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) under the aegis of the Health Ministry.

"Many myths and misconceptions surround organ donation. Very often organ donation gets discouraged on the basis of superstitions. I salute all those who have shown courage to donate organ of their near and dear ones, and shown us a direction to emulate this brave act," Choubey said.

"There are lakhs of people who wait at top hospitals for life-saving transplants amid acute shortage of donors. There is a need to spread awareness about organ donation and bridge certain gaps. Even if a section of individuals decide to donate his or her organs, it will bring a huge change," he added.

Union Minister Anupriya Patel said, "When seen from the perspective of reason and rationale, the gift of life is the ultimate gift that one could give and organ donation is, therefore, this God like act needs to be encouraged."