Everyone can agree in theory that organ donation is a noble gesture, but when it comes to putting their money where their mouth is, Indians are found lacking.
Only 24% Indians expressed their willingness to donate organs after death, with just 3% having registered their intent with a relevant authority, finds a recent study conducted by Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance.
As per the study, conducted in association with Karvy Insights, 80% of the 1,565 respondents who participated, are aware about the concept of organ donation, 67% believe it to be important, but only 35% understand the process of how to donate their organs.
Apparently, ‘family’ is the biggest deterrent to an individual donating his organs. About 45% respondents of the study believe that their family would not allow them to pledge their organs, with some showed apprehensions over even broaching this subject with them. As many as 40% of the respondents were worried that if they agreed to donate their organs, the process might become a hassle for the family, during an already vulnerable situation.
Many fear that organ donation is a scam. Then there is the fear of denigration of the body and worries over having no option to back out once registered, that affect people’s decision-making process.
The study also found that majority respondents were unaware of what organs and tissues qualify for organ donation as well as the correct process of organ donation.
