Organ donation

Organ donation is a very big decision and should be made only with proper considerations. Organ donation is called anatomical gifts. Every country has its own Anatomical Gift Act. However, all of them have some common elements:

Proper documentation of your donation:

• You should properly document your donation.
• Inform your medical health provider and relatives.
• Some authorities allow the incorporation of your wish in your driving license.
• Will is another way to document it.

Use of organs:

Organs can be used for the purpose of transplantation, research, or medical education.

Sometimes all donations cannot be honored due to pending autopsy in case of legal issues or death under circumstances.

If you specify the donor but cannot be transferred to that person, the law allows its transfer to someone else who needs it.

Medical considerations:

• There has to be proper certification of death.
• Some organs need to be under some life support after death till they are transferred.
• Generally, organs are removed in a way it is not obvious. The family generally get back the body for funeral or burial. However, in some cases, the body may not be given if especially no specific organ is specified for donation. The body is left for medical education.
• Donation of organs when the donor knows that he or she is suffering from HIV/AIDS is a crime. In such case, special arrangements need to be made with medical research and educational faculty if the person wants to donate.

Minors as donors:

• Normally minors need consent of their parents.
• Changing your decision:
• You have the right to revoke your decision to donate.
• Inform all authorities involved including the law and relatives.

Refusing to be a donor:

You have every right not to donate. You can make it very clear as a will or even specify to your relatives and care givers.

Note:

• If you want to donate any part of your body, please be responsible to take care of it. It is a gift you are making.
• The responsibility of donation and insuring the donation is your responsibility. No one is responsible for the failure of proper donation other than you.

Compiled by: Indrajit Sinha; Last updated: 08.11.07 © Medhospital Foundation

There is no generalization possible in medicine. The pages included in this website are purely educational and have been presented for information purpose only. Each section has been prepared with utmost care but should not be used as a substitute for your own physician's advice and care. Please see conditions for use.