Organ Donation Day 2026
RIMS, Shija call for more organ donors to bridge transplant gap
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 03 2026: The Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, and ShijaHospitals & Research Institute separately observed the 16th Indian Organ Donation Day on Monday with programmes aimed at promoting organ and tissue donation across Manipur.

At RIMS, an awareness programme was held at Banting Hall under the national campaign "Angdaan Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan" of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in collaboration with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) .

The theme for the RIMS event was "One Decision.

Many Lives" .

Prof G Sunilkumar Sharma, Director RIMS, attended as chief guest.

Dr Nepram Sanjib Singh, Medical Superintendent, presided over the function, and Dr L Rajesh Singh, Dean (Academics), attended as guest of honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Sunilkumar Sharma described organ donation as a noble and life-saving act.

He urged students and the public to register through the NOTTO portal and to discuss their wishes with family members.

He highlighted the huge demand for organ transplants in the State and noted RIMS' 11 successful kidney transplant procedures.

He also informed that an Eye Bank is coming up at RIMS and that a State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTO) is being proposed to strengthen transplantation services in Manipur.

Transplant specialists and coordinators delivered expert talks on the importance of organ and tissue donation, the transplantation process, and the need to bridge the gap between demand and availability.

They stressed that one donor can save multiple lives.

A temporary help desk was set up to facilitate voluntary online organ donation pledges through the NOTTO portal, and distinguished contributors to the programme were felicitated.

At Shija Hospitals & Research Institute, the day was observed under the theme "Hope begins with one thoughtful decision".

The programme honored organ donors and expressed gratitude to their families.

A "Wall of Hope" was unveiled as a tribute to donors.

Dr Palin Khundongbam, CMD, Shija Hospitals, reaffirmed the hospital's commitment to advancing organ transplantation in the region.

Dr Guliver Potsangbam, Consultant Nephrologist, said Shija has successfully completed 135 kidney transplants and 138 cornea transplants.

Of these, 126 kidney transplants were done at Langol, including the first ABO-incompatible kidney transplant in Northeast India and five from deceased donors.

Nine were performed at Agartala in collaboration with the Government of Tripura.

Dr Somorendro Paonam, Consultant Urologist & Kidney Transplant Surgeon, and Bidyananda Laishram of MOHAN Foundation also spoke, calling for sustained community awareness.

Donor families were felicitated during the programme.

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