MOBILE ORGAN RETRIEVAL CENTRES ARE THE NEED OF THE HOUR SAYS ROTARIAN LAL GOEL
by Prashant Kapadia/NHN
Mumbai, 2025—The 9th Eye, Skin & Organ Donation Seminar was held at the Rotary Service Centre in Juhu, Mumbai.
Distinguished Speakers Address Critical Healthcare Gap
The seminar welcomed District Governor Rtn Dr Manish Motwani (RID 3141) as Chief Guest, who emphasised the crucial role Rotarians must play in advancing organ donation initiatives across communities.
Dr Bharat Shah, Founder and Permanent Member of the Zonal Transplant Coordination Centre (ZTCC) and Director of Nephrology at Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai, served as the Guest of Honour, providing comprehensive insights into organ donation processes and their life-saving impact.
Call for Infrastructure Development
Rotarian Lal Goel, Zonal District Chair of Rotary District 3141 and Advisor to the Organ & Blood Donation Committee of Rotary District 3110, made a compelling case for mobile organ retrieval centres. He highlighted that 85% of India’s revenue districts currently lack organ transplant or retrieval facilities, representing a massive gap in healthcare infrastructure.
“We must establish mobile organ retrieval centres to reach underserved areas and save countless lives,” Rotarian Goel urged, calling on both government and Rotary organisations to address this critical need.
Medical Experts Highlight Donation Opportunities
Dr Quresh Maskati, a renowned ophthalmologist and eye surgeon, detailed the critical importance of cornea donation, explaining how this gift of sight can transform lives for those living in darkness.
Rtn Dr Sunil Keswani, Medical Director and Head of Plastic Surgery at National Burns Centre, Navi Mumbai, shared valuable information about skin banks and Rotary’s pioneering role in establishing India’s first state-of-the-art skin bank in Mumbai. He noted that skin can be successfully retrieved up to 10-12 hours after death, expanding donation possibilities.
Community Leadership and Commitment
Rtn Jayant Sanghvi, President of the Rotary Club of Bombay West, welcomed attendees and reinforced the importance of community engagement in organ donation awareness.
PP Rtn Harmindar Singh, Managing Trustee of Life Beyond Life Foundation and Avenue Chair of Rotary District 3141, challenged all Rotary members to personally commit to organ and tissue donation while highlighting his foundation’s extensive work in donation awareness campaigns.
Strong Community Participation
The seminar drew significant participation from Rotary leadership, including PP Rtn Ashok Deorah (Trustee), Rtn Prashant Patel (Settler, Life Beyond Life Foundation), Rtn Ruby Agarwal (Inspire Secretary, Rotary Club of Organ Donation International), and numerous Rotarians committed to this humanitarian cause.
Impact and Next Steps
The event successfully raised awareness about the critical importance of eye, skin, and organ donation while encouraging individuals to pledge their support for this life-saving initiative. The discussions reinforced the urgent need for expanded infrastructure and community engagement to bridge the gap between organ availability and patient need across India.