Army Chief, AWWA President pledge organ donation to support AORTA initiative

Srinagar, Aug 22: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi and his wife, Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, President of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), have pledged to donate their organs, giving a major boost to the Armed Forces Organ Retrieval and Transplantation Authority (AORTA).

The initiative, led by Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, seeks to raise awareness about organ donation and encourage the Armed Forces community to lead by example.

According to officials, more than 26,000 Army personnel have already pledged their organs as part of the campaign, setting a national record.

The pledge was made on August 20 at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi

Calling organ donation a “service to humanity” and an extension of the Armed Forces’ spirit of sacrifice, General Dwivedi urged service members and their families to come forward in support of the cause. He also praised AORTA for its efforts in spreading awareness and motivating personnel to participate in the initiative.

During the event, the Army Chief presented Chief’s Recommendation Cards to three frontline staff working in organ transplant care, including a housekeeper, in recognition of their contribution to patient well-being. Donor families were also honoured in a ceremony for their compassion in extending “the gift of life” through organ donation.