MADURAI
D. Maruthupandian, Dean, Madurai Medical College and Government Rajaji Hospital, had an unusual request to come to office on Sunday, his week off. However, he was more than happy to entertain the request since it was not common to see 42 people of a single family pledging their organs.
“People rarely approach us to pledge organs despite awareness programmes conducted by the government and non-governmental organisations. When I heard that 42 people wanted to pledge their organs, I was delighted,” he said.
K. Mathan, one of the family members and an entrepreneur from Madurai, said they decided to pledge their organs in memory of his maternal grandparents – Arumugam and Kuppayi Ammal – to coincide with the death anniversary of the latter.
“My mother had 11 siblings. All my cousins and their children, who live in different cities, make it a point to meet in Madurai around every new year, when we also ensure that some charity work is done,” he said.
“Last year, our get-together turned out to be different with more than 60 of us taking part in the protests for jallikattu at Madurai throughout a day, wearing uniformly coloured dresses,” he said.
According to him, this year, a suggestion came in the family’s WhatsApp group about pledging organs and everyone agreed instantly.
“Though even children came to the hospital, we got to know from the Dean that only those above 18 years of age can pledge their organs,” he said, adding that 35 of them pledged organs while seven others pledged their eyes.
“We could have done it independently without much fanfare. However, we thought doing it together can motivate others,” he said.
Lauding the family for their decision, Dr. Maruthupandian said more people must come forward to donate organs. “After death, a person’s eye and skin can be donated. If a person becomes brain-dead, then other organs like heart, liver and kidneys can also be harvested,” he said.
