Individual efforts for a noble cause

Times of India, Aug 6, 2013
Bikash Khemka, TNN | Aug 6, 2013, 01.02 AM IST
BHAWANIPATNA: Far away from the hustlebustle of the cities, where education is a priceless commodity, a doctor has taken it upon himself to teach the people the benefits donating their body parts.

Dr Debendra Samal, a 48-year-old Ayurvedadoctor in the tribal heartland of Kalahandi, has dedicated his life for educating people to donate body organs for the needy. Despite obstacles, Dr Samal has continued with his mission over the past couple of years.

On July 8, 2011 when Samal, a resident of Manoharpur under Medinipur gram panchayat near Bhawanipatna who has been practicing since 1994, organized the first organ donation awareness camp at Medinipur village under the banner of 'Life Vision', a non-government organization he set up, he got no response from the public.

The next year, he again organized a similar camp at the same place, this time for a week. Still there was no response.

Despite two back-to-back failures, Samal made a third attempt this year. He organized a two-week camp this July, at the same place.

This time, his efforts paid dividends, finally. "One person came and pledged to donate his eyes," the doctor said, smiling.

"The man who pledged to donate his eyes has not yet completed the legal formalities because we do not have enough money. I have received around 10 calls from people who want to donate organs after the recent campaign, which has boost my confidence and now I want to work more through the organ transplantation campaign," he said.

Samal says about 6,605 persons are blind in Kalahandi, which has a population of over 13 lakh, as per government records till July 2013.

"My experience says the people of urban areas are more interested to pledge their bodies in comparison to the rural area," the doctor, who has not married, said.

The NGO "Life Vision", which was registered in 2009, has earlier focused on HIV-AIDS, including SHG training programme, agriculture, plantation and environment, is now focusing on the transplantation of human organs. However, the NGO has not yet received financial aid from the state or central government.

Samal toured the country on a cycle in 2010 for the HIV-AIDS awareness. He earns from ayurveda medicines and spends all his income towards organ donation camps. He said the government should now focus on the transplantation of human organs in the country. "The government focused on HIV-AIDS awareness and it succeeded in minimizing it. If crores can be spent on AIDS, why not on organ donations?" he asked.

He said in the modern era, the use of pesticides in agriculture has developed the diseases in human beings. Another reason for pancreas-related problems is the use of unhygienic water mostly in rural areas. Pollution in cities is affecting the lungs which is a major concern.

If we compare the health 30 years ago, diseases in organs have increased up to 60%.

"We should be a part of the organ donation campaign and feel proud to save precious lives of human beings," Samal summed up.