‘Organ Donation Clause’ to be included in driving licences

Actor Revathy handing over a Multi Organ donation singnature campaign book to S. Machendranathan, Transport Commissioner at a function in Chennai on Sunday. Others seen are, Dr. Sunil Shroff, Managing Trustee, MOHAN Foundation (second from left) and Mr. Syed Munir Hoda, Additional Chief Secretary, Tamil Nadu, Photo: R. Ragu

Transport Commissioner S. Machendranathan said that information regarding ‘Organ Donation Clause’ would definitely be included in the smart cards of driving licences, even while the Transport Department would consider whether to include the clause in the present cards.

Participating in the valedictory function of ‘Rally For Life’ and to endorse the usage of ‘Organ Donation Clause’ in the driving licence in the city on Sunday, Mr. Machendranathan said: “Our State is a bit conservative when it comes to providing personal details in the smart cards, as we feel it is an intrusion of privacy, whereas the Kerala government has put up the entire details on the Internet itself.” At present, smart cards of driving licences are being issued at Thiruvanmiyur, Cuddalore and Sivaganga, he added.

Mr. Machendranathan appreciated the group of youngsters for undertaking such an awareness rally and the foundation for organising the rally.

Additional Chief Secretary Syed Munir Hoda wanted Multi Organ Harvesting Aid Network (MOHAN) Foundation to organise a meeting of all religious pontiffs to create awareness about organ donation among the people. Mr. Hoda, while pointing out that no religion prohibited organ donation, said a meeting of religious heads would help in creating better awareness among the masses to donate organs.

He suggested that some incentives, other than monetary, could be worked out for the donors and to give training to doctors to motivate patients to come forward to donate organs. Citing the kidney transplantation model in Iran, where today there is no waiting list, he suggested that our State could also adopt the model.

Sunil Shroff, managing trustee, MOHAN Foundation, said that by having an ‘Organ Donation Clause’ in the driving licence, a lot of money could be saved in issuing a separate card for this cause and would also help in quick harvesting of the organs from the donors.

Actor Revathy wanted each and every organ donor to create awareness among family members, as they are the ones who have to permit the organs of the donors to be donated. She presented a signature campaign to include ‘Organ Donation Clause’ to Mr. Machendranathan.

B. Kamal Hasan, who led the ‘Rally For Life,’ and five other volunteers were felicitated at the function.

The motorbike rally, flagged off in the city on September 9, travelled through nine cities and covered around 2,000 km.