CHANDIGARH, 24.05.26- ROTTO North Showcases Best Practices in Organ Donation Awareness to International Delegates at PGIMER Chandigarh

Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (ROTTO) North, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) organized a comprehensive organ donation awareness and sensitization session for the international delegates participating in the 33rd International Public Health Management Development Program (IPHMDP) at PGIMER Chandigarh. The session was conducted in collaboration with the Department of School of Public Health, PGIMER, as part of the institute’s ongoing commitment towards strengthening global public health partnerships and promoting ethical organ donation and transplantation practices.

The 33rd International Public Health Management Development Program (IPHMDP), a flagship initiative of PGIMER Chandigarh under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) framework of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, brought together 43 clinical and public health professionals from 20 countries. The landmark edition also marked the decennial celebration of the globally acclaimed leadership program, which has trained nearly 1,700 healthcare professionals and public health leaders from 97 countries over the last decade.

As part of the academic and experiential learning modules, the delegates attended an interactive awareness session conducted by ROTTO North focusing on the importance of organ and tissue donation, deceased donor transplantation, ethical and legal dimensions of transplantation, grief counselling, community mobilization strategies, and the development of sustainable organ donation ecosystems.

During the session, ROTTO North showcased several best practices and impactful initiatives implemented across North India to strengthen organ donation awareness and transplantation activities. Delegates were briefed about innovative outreach campaigns, public engagement models, educational workshops, collaborations with educational institutions and civil society organizations, media advocacy strategies, hospital coordination mechanisms, and capacity-building initiatives designed to sensitize healthcare professionals and communities about the life-saving impact of organ donation.

The session further highlighted the coordinated multi-stakeholder approach being adopted by ROTTO North for improving organ donation rates through awareness generation, healthcare workforce training, transparent allocation systems, and promotion of ethical transplantation practices. Delegates from various countries actively participated in discussions and shared experiences regarding transplant challenges, public health communication models, and awareness strategies adopted in their respective nations, creating a vibrant platform for international learning and collaboration.

Commending the initiative Prof. Vivek Lal Director PGIMER stated, “PGIMER Chandigarh remains committed to advancing global public health leadership through meaningful academic exchange and humanitarian healthcare initiatives. Organ donation awareness is not merely a medical responsibility but a societal movement that requires sustained advocacy, ethical practices, and international collaboration. Such interactions provide an excellent platform to share India’s evolving transplantation framework and successful public engagement models with global health leaders.”*

Dr. Vijay Tadia , Nodal Officer, ROTTO North stated, “Organ donation represents one of the noblest acts of humanity and awareness continues to remain the cornerstone for strengthening deceased organ donation programs worldwide. Through these international engagements, ROTTO North gets an opportunity to showcase India’s best practices in counselling, community outreach, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building while also learning from global experiences. Our collective efforts aim to create a more informed, compassionate, and donation-friendly society.”

Delivering the awareness session, Ms. *Saryu D. Madra , Consultant (IEC/ Media) ROTTO North emphasized, “Effective communication and sustained public awareness are critical to bridging the gap between organ demand and availability. Sensitizing communities, engaging youth, involving educational institutions, and building public trust through transparent communication are among the most powerful tools for strengthening organ donation movements globally. ”

The international delegates appreciated the structured and community-oriented approach adopted by PGIMER and ROTTO North towards promoting organ donation awareness and acknowledged the importance of integrating such humanitarian initiatives into broader public health systems worldwide.