Shillong, April 1: The State Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO), Meghalaya, in collaboration with NEIGRIHMS, organized a marathon-cum-walkathon at the NEIGRIHMS campus to raise awareness on organ donation and transplantation. The event, held on March 31, 2026, witnessed enthusiastic participation from more than 400 individuals, ranging from a 4-year-old child to a 62-year-old participant, all successfully completing the run.
Director of NEIGRIHMS, Prof. (Dr.) Nalin Mehta, flagged off the marathon. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the urgent need for greater public participation in organ donation pledges to address the growing shortage of organs in the country.
Officials from the Health Department also spoke on the occasion. The Joint Director of Health Services, Government of Meghalaya, pointed out the challenges faced by patients from the state who are forced to travel outside Meghalaya for organ transplant procedures.
Meanwhile, the Medical Superintendent and Dean of NEIGRIHMS emphasized the importance of establishing organ transplant facilities within the institute to improve access to such critical services.
Adding a personal touch to the program, two kidney donors shared their experiences, encouraging attendees to consider organ donation and contribute to saving lives.
The initiative aimed to spread awareness and motivate citizens to actively participate in organ donation, addressing a critical healthcare need in the region.
