CM Naveen Patnaik Announces State Honours for Organ Donors’ Funerals

GG News Bureau
Bhubaneswar, 16th Feb. In a proactive move to promote organ donation in Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik declared on Thursday that the last rites of organ donors would be conducted with full state honours, as per an announcement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).

The initiative, as stated by the CMO, seeks to recognize and pay tribute to the bravery and selflessness of organ donors who have contributed to saving the lives of others.

Highlighting the significance of honoring organ donors, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik emphasized that this gesture would serve to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and inspire more individuals to come forward. He commended the relatives of brain-dead individuals who make the courageous decision to donate organs, underscoring their pivotal role in preserving numerous human lives.

Odisha has been proactive in promoting organ donation, having established the State Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO) in 2019. Furthermore, the government introduced the Suraj Award in 2020 to recognize exemplary contributions in the field of organ donation, as mentioned by the chief minister.

The inception of the Suraj Award was inspired by a heartwarming incident involving a youth named Suraj from Bhanjanagar, Ganjam district. Despite sustaining critical injuries in a road accident and being declared brain dead, Suraj’s family opted to donate his organs, thereby facilitating life-saving transplants for six individuals.

Additionally, the Odisha government extends financial support to the families of organ donors, providing ₹5 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund as a token of appreciation.