Health Minister seeks people’s involvement in organ donation campaign

Chitwan, March 2 . Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health and Population Upendra Yadav has called on one and all to contribute to a campaign of posthumous organs donation.

Inaugurating a social campaign of donation of organs (posthumously) launched by the Association of Pharmaceutical Producers of Nepal here today, he said the campaign would save the lives of many if it was supported by all. Describing the campaign as a noble one, he called on one and all to join it.

He took a moment to urge responsible people to ensure quality in manufacturing of drugs taking place at the domestic level, adding that a policy was forthcoming allowing the import of only those drugs which are not manufactured at home.

Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Umeshlal Shrestha promised support to promote the campaign nationwide as part of the FNCCI. He called on doctors to give first priority to home-produced drugs in prescriptions. In his view, a culture of seeking treatment within the country should be developed among the Nepalis.

Chair of Confederation of Nepal Industries (CNI) presented a data that 5,000 people died in road accidents last year and they could give new lives to many through organs transplantation.

Director General of Department of Drug Administration, Narayan Prasad Dhakal, urged one and all to support the campaign by their hearts and actions.

Shahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant Centre s director Dr Pukar Chandra Shrestha a clinically dead person can give live to eight persons through organ transplantation. Heart, liver, intestine, lung and kidney from a clinically dead person can be transplanted in others. The centre, in a period of past six years, transplanted organs into 580 people and from this and saved millions of rupees from transmitting to other countries, Dr Shrestha said.

On the occasion, Association central president Deepak Prasad Dahal and general secretary Prajjwal Jung Pandey said the campaign was launched on the occasion of seventh Nepal Pharma and Health Expo 2019 as part of its social responsibility campaign. “Nepal is capable of manufacturing quality drugs on a par with globally reputed companies,” he added.