Army officers pledge to donate organs

NEW DELHI: In a unique ceremony, the officers of the Armed Forces, including senior doctors, and other dignitaries are to pledge their organs for donation today.

Among others, Nikita Anand and Gul Panag - both former Miss Indias, Shyama Chona — Principal of DPS, RK Puram, Ajit Bajaj — the first Indian to conquer both North and South poles, and eminent media personality Col Ajai Shukla too will pledge their organs at the function at the Army Hospital (Research & Referral), said an official spokesperson.

The same day will also see another unique initiative being launched by the Army doctors in the form of the Armed Forces Organ Retrieval and Transplantation Authority (AORTA), which aims to increase awareness of organ donations, organ retrieval and transplantation.

The efforts of this Authority will be coordinated by Col (Dr) AK Seth, an eminent super-Specialist who has vast experience of organ transplantation.

Recently, Maj Vipin Chaudhary agreed to donate the organs of his mother who died following brain haemorrhage. The liver was transplanted, for the first time, at Army Hospital (R&R) into a serving soldier, one kidney into a serving officer, another kidney into an 18-year-old and two eyes into suitable recipients.

This selfless gesture affected the lives of five families and served as an inspiration to others. To acknowledge the noble deed done by Maj Chaudhary, he is being felicitated during the ceremony where Director General Medical Service (Army) Lt Gen Saibal Mukherjee will be the Chief Guest.