Of the 40,000 eye donations in India every year, almost 5,000 donations go waste as they cannot be harvested due to the delay. The organ needs to be harvested within six hours after the death of a donor. But there is a need to create awareness among people, said Karnataka Health minister Dr K. Sudhakar who pledged to donate his eyes on Wednesday, on the occasion of World Health Day.
"One should register his or her name in advance for eye donation. And the relatives of the donor should approach the nearest eye hospital quickly to facilitate the donation. Eye banks do not charge any money while receiving the organ, and people should register themselves for donation so the donation becomes faster and hassle free," said the minister, who took part in the walkathon organised by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Bengaluru.
The minister who received the donor certificate from the Minto hospital said his decision to pledge his eyes had given him a sense of fulfillment. "I urge people to register themselves and pledge their eyes as it is a noble gesture. It can help others get their sight after our death," said Sudhakar.
