India has joined the league of countries that give people the option to donate their organs while applying for a driver’s licence. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in an advisory in May 2018 had asked all RTOs to add an option in the driver’s licence application form so that applicants could express their willingness to donate organs.
Road accidents claim 1,48,000 lives every year, many of which result in severe brain injuries which could potentially lead to organ donation. But even as thousands of people apply for new licences or renew their licence in RTO offices every day, due to a lack of awareness, most people filling out the form do not make the choice of becoming an organ donor. They have no knowledge about organ donation and how their pledge could potentially save lives. So, they tick on the ‘no’ option.
ORGAN India’s Regional Transport Offices (RTO) Project aims at sensitising people at various RTOs in India on organ donation. Through infographics, posters and animation series, awareness was created for the RTOs in Indore, Gwalior, Vidisha, Bhopal, Sagar, Jabalpur, Panchkula, Gurugram, Rohtak and Noida. In Rohtak, a 5-minute animated film was also screened during the training for transport vehicle licences.
Special posters and animated videos were created to help people visiting the RTO offices decide whether to pledge for organ donation through their driver’s licence. Prakash Asphaltings and Transport Highways (PATH) India supported ORGAN India in this drive.
The RTO Office staff are addressed and sensitised about the process of organ donation and the importance of linking it with a driving licence.
Heads of Road Traffic Offices have wholeheartedly supported our effort and have urged everyone to opt in to be organ donors while applying for a driver’s licence.
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