DMC&H & SOTTO Punjab hosts Organ Donation Awareness Programme to Promote Organ Donation and Honour Donors’ families

Ludhiana, August 19, 2025: DMC&H Ludhiana, in collaboration with SOTTO Punjab, organised an Organ Donation Awareness Programme today with the primary aim of busting myths around organ donation and honouring the families of donors for their noble contribution in giving the gift of life. The event also highlighted the urgent need to strengthen the culture of pledging for organ donation within the community.
In 2025, DMC&H has successfully carried out 6 cadaveric donations, retrieving 16 organs and 10 corneas. The institute has performed 21 liver transplants, 11 kidney transplants, and 10 corneal transplants, marking a significant contribution towards saving and transforming lives.
The programme was held in the presence of Dr. Ramandeep Kaur, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, as the Chief Guest and Dr. Gagneen Kaur Sandhu, Nodal Officer, SOTTO, as the Guest of Honour.
The event was a joint initiative of the Departments of Liver Transplant, Nephrology, Urology & Renal Transplant and Ophthalmology. It was attended by Bipin Gupta, Secretary, DMCH Managing Society; Mukesh Verma, Treasurer, DMCH Managing Society; Dr. G.S. Wander, Principal, DMCH; Dr. Sandeep Sharma and Dr. Bishav Mohan, Medical Superintendents; and Dr. Ashima Taneja, Additional Medical Superintendent, Dr Vikas Makkar, Professor & Head Nephrology, Dr Gurvinder kaur, Profressor & Head Department of Ophthalmology and Dr Vikas Kumar, In-charge Kidney transplant unit, Dr P L Gautam HOD Critical care medicine and Suneet Kant Kathuria, HOD Anaesthesia   along with faculty members from various specialties.
Families of organ donors were felicitated in recognition of their selfless decision to save lives. To create awareness, students of DMC&H presented a skit and a reel highlighting the importance of organ donation.
Addressing the audience, Sh. Bipin Gupta, Secretary, DMC&H Managing Society, remarked, “DMC&H has always been at the forefront of serving humanity. By honouring the families of donors, we are not only expressing our gratitude but also inspiring society to come forward and support this noble cause. Organ donation truly reflects the highest form of service to mankind.”
Speaking on the occasion, Principal Dr. G.S. Wander shared DMCH’s journey in organ transplant and presented the institute’s data on successful organ donation and  transplants. He emphasised that organ donation is not only a medical advancement but also a humanitarian service that gives hope to patients suffering from end-stage organ failure.
In his keynote address, Dr. Gagneen Sandhu elaborated about the ROTO, SOTTO and NOTTO protocols, underlining the importance of strengthening India’s organ donation network for better accessibility and transparency and she shared valuable insights into the state’s initiatives, stressing that “one deceased donor can give a new lease of life to up to eight patients.”
In her message, Dr. Ramandeep Kaur, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, lauded the relentless efforts of the DMCH team in promoting the cause of organ donation. She commended the institute for not only providing advanced medical care and successful transplants but also for creating awareness in the community and inspiring people to pledge their organs.
The audience was touched with heartfelt emotion when Dr. Gursagar Singh Sahota, Chief Liver Transplant Surgeon, DMC&H narrated the heartfelt story of a donor’s daughter, a story that beautifully reflected the compassion and humanity behind every donation. Adding to the emotional moment, members of the donors’ families also came forward to share their own experiences and thoughts. Their words of courage and generosity inspired the gathering and encouraged everyone present to come forward and support this noble cause of giving the gift of life.
The event witnessed the participation of over 200 attendees, who were urged to spread awareness within their communities and motivate others to come forward and register as organ donors.