SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised the contributions of medical professionals and institutions in saving lives, while emphasizing the importance of organ donation. He made these remarks during the inaugural session of the two-day SAMAGAM-2025 event, organized by the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) in collaboration with the State Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO), J&K, at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC).
As the chief guest of the event, CM Abdullah commended the efforts of institutions like the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, and GMC Jammu in the field of kidney and corneal transplants. He urged these institutions to focus on initiating cadaveric organ donation in Jammu and Kashmir, recognising the crucial role it plays in saving lives.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for increased awareness and acceptance of organ donation. He called for collaboration between medical experts, religious scholars, and other stakeholders to foster informed discussions and build a consensus on the matter. Abdullah also assured full government support to strengthen these institutions and promote a healthier society.
Highlighting the growing challenges of self-medication, lifestyle diseases, and insufficient physical activity, the CM urged the public to adopt healthier habits for better well-being.
During the event, CM Abdullah honored several key figures in organ donation, including the family of the late Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, former Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at GMC Srinagar. Dr. Ahmed’s eyes were donated posthumously by his fellow ophthalmologists, Dr. Khurshid Ahmed and Dr. Seema Mian. Additionally, Ms. Heenu Mushtaq, a kidney transplant recipient leading a healthy life, was recognized for her inspiring journey.
The event featured expert discussions on various aspects of organ donation, including the current state of organ donation in India, the evolution of cadaveric organ donation and transplantation, and the role of religious perspectives in promoting donation. The event also focused on the future of cadaveric organ donation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Among the distinguished attendees were Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, Government of India; Dr. Anil Kumar, Director of NOTTO, New Delhi; Dr. Ashraf Ganai, Director of SKIMS; Dr. Iffat Hassan Shah, Principal of GMC Srinagar; and Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Principal of GMC Jammu. Delegates from various Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (ROTTOs) and State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (SOTTOs) across the country also participated in the event, representing states like Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Odisha, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim.