Written by Tanisha Cardozo
🫀 Every year on August 13, World Organ Donation Day is observed to raise awareness and encourage people to pledge their organs to save lives. This year’s theme, “Answering the Call”, puts the spotlight on healthcare professionals and communities working together to make organ donation a shared responsibility.
Dr. Preeti Varghese, Joint Director of SOTTO Goa, joins AllyCaral.com to share insights on how Goa is advancing this mission through community engagement, education, and public trust.
What is SOTTO Goa?
Established in October 2019 at Goa Medical College, SOTTO Goa is a vital link in India’s National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP). It regulates deceased donor organ transplants in the state and ensures organ retrieval, storage, and transplantation complies with the Transplantation of Human Organ Act (THOA), 1994.
Key functions include:
- Organ donation facilitation
- Organ allocation coordination
- Maintenance of donor/recipient registries
- Awareness campaigns and medical training
- Implementation of national transplant schemes
Awareness Efforts in Goa
SOTTO Goa is actively creating awareness through a diverse set of initiatives:
- Training programs for medical professionals
- CMEs and CNEs for continuous education
- Public campaigns including poster competitions, ad films, walkathons, and awareness drives in schools, colleges, corporates, and social clubs.
These efforts aim to normalize organ donation in daily conversations and break common myths that hinder participation.
Common Myths About Organ Donation
❌ “I’m too old to donate.”
✅ Age is not a barrier. Anyone above 18 can pledge. Medical suitability is determined later.
❌ “My body will be disfigured.”
✅ Organs are retrieved with surgical precision and dignity — similar to any medical surgery. There is no disfigurement.
How to Pledge in Goa
It’s simple:
👉 Visit notto.abdm.gov.in and register your pledge online.
A printable donor card and digital acknowledgment will be provided.
The Reality: Shortage Still Persists
India’s organ donation rate stands at just 0.6 per million population. In Goa, only kidney and cornea transplants are currently available, and as of now, 80 patients are on the deceased donor kidney transplant waiting list under the Nave Jivit scheme.
Public Attitude: A Slow but Steady Shift
Dr. Varghese believes public attitudes are shifting — but more people need to step forward.
“Organs can’t be manufactured or bought. Only one human can save another through donation,” she emphasizes.
The Role of Youth and Institutions
Dr. Varghese calls on students and schools to take the lead in creating conversations around organ donation:
“The right time to talk is now — when we’re healthy, surrounded by friends and family — not in times of grief.”
Final Message:
“#SayYesToOrganDonation.”
Let’s step forward and support this noble cause. Your decision today could give someone else a tomorrow.
