By IANS
Bhopal : Shocked by the unearthing of the illegal kidney transplant racket near Delhi, senior citizens here have pledged to donate their organs so that people in need do not have to turn to racketeers like Amit Kumar to save their lives.
Forty-eight people Sunday pledged to donate all their organs at a camp jointly organised by the Madhya Pradesh Varishtha Nagrik Mandal, a senior citizen’s association, and the Gayatri Shakti Peeth.
A.K. Dubey, a retired Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) officer, said: “I was shocked when I heard about the kidney scam. Soon after, I came to know of this camp and thought that if each of us donates organs, such racketeers will not be able to flourish. Also, I will be of use to someone even after my death.”
Apart from those who agreed to donate their entire organs, 10 people pledged to donate their kidneys or eyes or both.
“If each of us decides to donate his or her organs, there would be no room for illegal organ trade,” said Mandal president S.K. Saraswat.
“Things like the kidney racket thrive because there is a huge, unanswered demand for body organs. This (organ donation camp) will also address the genuine concern of thousands of people who die due to lack of organs.”