Three Bhaktapur MPs Among Nine to Pledge Organ Donation

Three lawmakers from Bhaktapur have pledged to donate their organs after death on the occasion of World Organ Donation Day.

MPs Rukesh Ranjit, Rajiv Khatri and Ganga Laxmi Awal made the pledge at a program organized by the Shahid Dharmabhakta National Transplant Center in Bhaktapur on Thursday. Former Constituent Assembly member Binda Pandey was among nine people who also pledged to donate their organs after death.

With the latest pledges, the number of people who have consented to donate organs following brain death in Nepal has reached 2,799.

Health experts said organ donation after brain death could reduce transplant costs and help avoid health risks associated with organ removal from living donors. Center’s executive Director Dr. Kalpana Kumari Shrestha stressed the need for greater public awareness about organ donation.

Transplant surgeon Dr. Dipesh Shrestha said the growing burden of kidney disease has increased the need for organ transplantation and urged wider awareness about kidney disease prevention, treatment and organ donation.

The event also honored families who had donated organs following brain death and hospitals involved in organ donation.

Participating lawmakers pledged to support efforts to expand the center’s services and help facilitate the management of additional infrastructure for the center.