‘The AIIMSONIANS’, the alumni association of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi organized a ‘Campus Walkathon’ on 16th march 2025 at 8.00 am, to support and spread awareness about organ and tissue donation. The walkathon was supported by the Organ Retrieval and Banking organization, the Faculty Association and the Resident Doctors’ Association of AIIMS and NBCC (India) Limited.
A large number of patients in India die because of organ failure such as heart, liver, kidneys, lungs etc. Deceased organ donation is an act of kindness that can potentially save many of these lives. Eye donation after death can help restore vision of the patients with corneal blindness. Even other tissues such as bones, skin, cartilage etc. can also be donated after death. It is a matter of great pride that facilities for deceased donor transplantation of heart, liver, kidneys and lung, along with tissue banks dedicated to heart valves, eye, bones and skin exist in AIIMS, New Delhi. Sadly, despite adequate medical and legal framework- the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (1994) has been in existence for over 3 decades, the organ donation rates in India are quite low as compared to other countries. Lack of awareness is thought to be one of the main reasons for low donation rates.
The AIIMSONIANs believe that doctors are uniquely placed to spread the message of organ donation amongst the society at large and also act as an inspiration for the common man to consider this noble act of organ donation as a vital service to the society. It is with this belief in mind this initiative was undertaken by the alumni association with enthusiastic support from the members of the medical fraternity.
The Walkathon was flagged off by the Director, AIIMS, Dr M Sriniwas. and was well attended by more than 100 participants. Dr Sujoy Pal, Dr Kaberi Banerjee and Dr Rajesh Panwar represented the AIIMSONIANS executive Committee for the Walkathon. Other eminent participants included Dr Radhika Tandon (Chief of RP Centre of Ophthalmology) and Dr Arti Vij (Prof. In Charge, ORBO). Dr Jitendra Maheshwari, Dr Rajesh Malhotra, Dr Renita & Dr Darpreet Bhamra and Dr Nabhaneeta and Sajal Haldar represented the AIIMSONIANS. Dr Amarinder Singh Malhi represented the Faculty Association of AIIMS & Dr Raghunandan Dixit represented the Resident Doctor’s Association. Mr Balram (Transplant Co-ordinator) and other members of the ORBO team prepared placards and motivated the participants with slogans for organ and tissue donation. Some organ transplant recipients also participated in the Walkathon. The Walkathon was well covered by the print as well as electronic media. The 4 km Walkathon route encompassed Ansari Nagar (east) and Masjid Moth campuses that took around an hour. The participants signed off with the desire to organize such activities at regular intervals in the future.
