Early Times Report
Srinagar, October 24, 2026: The State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) J&K organised a one-day technical workshop on organ donation, titled “Angdaan–Jeevan Pravah” (Organ Donation – A Life Salience), at SKICC, Srinagar, under the year-long campaign of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, “Angdaan Karo Jug Jug Jiyo.” The workshop brought together eminent experts, senior healthcare officials, medical college representatives, transplant specialists and healthcare professionals to deliberate on various aspects of organ donation and transplantation, with a focus on strengthening awareness, improving coordination and addressing challenges in deceased organ donation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The inaugural session commenced with the ceremonial lamp lighting, followed by the National Song and National Anthem. The welcome address was delivered by Dr Elias Sharma, Nodal Officer, SOTTO J&K and Head of the Department of Urology, GMC Jammu.
The inaugural session was addressed by Dr Anil Kumar, Director, NOTTO, New Delhi,(Chief Guest),
Guest of Honours Dr M. Ashraf Ganie, Director, SKIMS Soura; Dr Vijay Tadia, Nodal Officer, ROTTO North, Chandigarh and Special Guest, Dr Saba Wani, Deputy Director Health Services, Kashmir. The session concluded with a felicitation of guests and a vote of thanks by Dr Poonam Mahajan, Joint Director, SOTTO J&K.
The technical sessions covered a wide range of topics, including the evolution of organ donation and transplantation, the national scenario of organ donation, brain-stem death certification, medico-legal aspects of cadaveric donation, counselling and the sequence of events following deceased donation. Dr Elias Sharma spoke on organ donation, while Dr Vijay Tadia discussed the evolution of organ donation and transplantation at PGIMER, Chandigarh. Dr Anil Kumar highlighted the scenario of organ donation and transplantation in India and the role of NOTTO. Other expert sessions addressed brain-stem death certification, medico-legal cases and counselling procedures following deceased organ donation. The subsequent sessions focused on kidney transplantation, the current status of organ transplantation in Kashmir, cornea transplantation and donation, challenges in the private healthcare sector, and bottlenecks and possible remedies for cadaveric transplantation in Jammu and Kashmir. The sessions were delivered by specialists from SKIMS Soura, GMC Srinagar and other leading healthcare institutions. The programme also acknowledged the participation and support of Mr Ashwani Khajuria, Director, Department of Hospitality and Protocol, J&K; Mr Ejaj Ahmed, Senior PA, Chief Minister’s Office;
Dr Manzoor Ahmad Mir, University of Kashmir; and Dr SM Murtaza Bhukhari, SAM College, Beerwah. |
