New Delhi: In a bid to boost organ donation, the Federal Health Ministry has proposed including organ donation instructions in driving licences.

The proposal has been forwarded to Health Minister A. K. Walia.

When approved, the measure is seen as a major step to spread awareness of the organ donation cause.

Tick box

Under the scheme, licence holders will have to mark a tick box to answer a question on whether or not he is willing to donate his organs in case he is killed in a vehicular accident.

"Organ donation is an important way to help humanity. Such efforts will go a long way in making people turn donors and help save lives. Precious moments are lost due to lack of awareness and several lives cannot be saved," Dr Vikas Malhotra of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, said.

He said that many times families refuse to donate organs of the dead and at other times it is plain lethargy on the part of the doctors and hospital staff. "Doctors seldom request the relatives of the deceased for organ donation. Hospitals need to depute counsellors to speak to the relatives of the people who have lost their lives and request donation of the organs of the dead," he said.

Family response

A health services official said that the proposal was sent to the government some time back and it is highly likely that it will come through.

"If a person pledges his organs and it is mentioned in the driving licence, it might not be difficult to convince his family members. After all, one can understand that in a sad state people cannot be expected to think rationally," the official said.

Red tape

Optimistic about the move, Suresh Raina, a medical student said: "Organs like heart and kidneys are invaluable. We often hear that there is a dearth of these. But the government needs to first remove red tape that halts organ donation."

"I know of families who have changed their mind after the police delayed paperwork. They were made to run around from one police station to another to get no-objection certificates. Officials who are not sensitised can make organ donation a harrowing experience for people," he said.

Women on top

Statistics show that women are in the lead as kidney donors. Figures from major city hospitals show that in over 70 per cent of cases, mostly the wife or the mother donates her organs in the interest of the family. It gives credence to the fact that out of love, women do not think twice when it comes to making a sacrifice for their husband or son.