Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 3: On the occasion of 14th Indian Organ Donation Day today, Jammu & Kashmir was awarded best emerging State/UT in Organ Donation/Transplantation at a function held at Bhim Hall in Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
The prestigious event was hosted by the National Organ & Tissue Transplant (NOTTO). The award was presented by the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Health & Family Welfare and Chemical & Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel. On behalf of J&K, Team SOTTO J&K comprising Dr Elias Sharma (Nodal Officer, SOTTO J&K & HoD Urology & Kidney Transplantation, GMC Jammu), Dr Sanjeev Puri (Joint Director, SOTTO J&K), Anshu Sharma (Media Consultant) and Irfan Lone (Transplant Coordinator) received the award.
The families of deceased donors were also honoured on the occasion. The theme of the function was to honour the efforts made by various individuals and organizations leading the mission of Deceased Organ Donation and Transplantation in India.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister acknowledged the noble deed of the donor families for the extraordinary feat. She stressed the need to prevent end stage organ failures as well as promoting cadaveric donation in India.
Guests in the event, Dr Vinod K Paul, Member (Health) NITI Ayog, Apurva Chandra (Secretary, H&FW, GoI) and Dr Atul Goel (DGHS, GoI) presented their ideas for promoting organ donation and transplantation in India.
The function concluded with vote of thanks presented by Director NOTTO, Anil Kumar.