Donate an Organ

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Following a recent scandal in the medical profession, a doctor was recently struck off the medical register for removing and storing organs post mortem, from bodies of deceased children. A number of hospitals have since stated that in order to help medical research, organs are sometimes removed from dead bodies after post mortems, without permission. We hear of these stories through the media and immediately frown upon the medical profession, but do we ask ourselves the reasons for their actions?

The authorities are becoming increasingly concerned about the number of people (or lack of) who are volunteering as organ donors. Volunteering as an organ donor means that we give permission for our organs to be used after death, for medical purposes. The number of donors from South Asian communities, including the Sikh community is much lower than the number of donors from other communities. Many believe that there is a general feeling among the Sikh community against the practice of carrying out post mortems. However, can we believe this to be true, when we do not speak openly about the subject?

God gives us life and it is God who takes life away. After death, the spirit leaves the body to continue in the circle of life, while the body remains soulless. We perform a funeral to mark the end of the persons life, however the body is of no use or value to the departed soul or the families. The question remains therefore, is there any reason for Sikhs to prevent doctors from carrying out post mortems or even removing any organs from the deceased if they can help others or help medical research?
Carrying a donor card can be seen as Seva – you will be helping others to live a longer life, helping to further medical research into the health of our community, long after we have passed on.

Communication is the key, talk to your family, talk to your doctor, consider carrying a donor card and explain your reasons for doing so. It is a sensitive topic, but your donor card could be the key to another person’s survival.

Contact 0800 123 23 23 for more information

Bhupinder Singh