“The medical profession,” Agimol told us, “is one of a few where you can just follow your passion and emerge successfully.” The trustee of the fundamentally life-changing charity, Upahaar, the young nurse knows well what she is speaking about: “the severity of the scarcity of Asian donors led me to do the PhD on this topic”. Agimol realised that South-Asian patients were receiving less organ and tissue transplants compared to those of Caucasian descent. She consequently sought to raise awareness that would fight the problem and boost more people’s lives. “The Upahaar Network evolved from the personal project I started at the time, looking into the reasons behind poor organ donation rates for those of BAME backgrounds: when I was working with Asian patients in the clinic, I found that they could open up to me as someone who was part of their culture, and many expressed strong concerns that they were not receiving the same help as others.” Indeed, one in five people who died on the waiting list in 2017/18 has been from a BAME background, where 31% on kidney waiting list, in particular, are from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.
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“At first,” Agimol continued, “there was suspicion of institutional racism.” However, upon further investigation, the real reason was “the lack of awareness within the BAME communities themselves. Many South Asians, for example, don’t donate because they don’t acknowledge this as a health crisis. It’s not widely understood in such social circles.” Currently, the NHS also operates on the ‘Opt-In’ system, which means citizens must officially register as a donor to be able to contribute to organ transplants. “This has meant many Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi patients have been denied vital procedures. With organ transplants, for example, families don’t tend to approve organ donation if a family member has not expressed their wish to participate prior to death. But many people really want to help, especially when they know they can.”
Additionally, increasing the number of donors from ethnic minority backgrounds is compulsory because BAME patients tend to require specific tissue and blood types, unique to their biological heritage. “Seeing patients so needlessly in distress drove me to go out and raise awareness,” Agimol commented here. She started volunteering to recruit more organ and stem cell donators where the campaigning has now culminated in a fully-fledged charity. “You can register with organ donor register, or contact Upahaar to help, and you know you’re making a huge difference. Giving a kidney greatly improves the quality of one’s life. When patients are without one, they must come in for dialysis treatment three times a week, hooking themselves up to machines. It’s draining to say the least. When you donate a liver, you actually save someone’s life: it is a tense, and heart-breaking time when someone is waiting for a lifeline.” In the UK, around 6,000 people are on the waiting list, while three people die every day anticipating their transplant. “We don’t even need a 100% match,” the nurse emphasised, “just the right candidates.”
For her incredible impact on patient care, Ajimol has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) last year (2018), and Nurse of the Year by the British Journal of Nursing (2015). “It can definitely be stressful when you’re working in the medical field,” the noble medical worker finished, “but positivity and honesty are the best salve.” And so, Agimol shows us that simple commitment to one’s job can sometimes yield the biggest reward. “I hope to continue being a role model for change in the future: when you can view your work as a calling, you reach new, unanticipated heights.”
What changes can the government make to help increase the number of organ and stem cell donors?
Actually, as of 2020 the new policy will be one of opting out, which I support. Unless you specify that you don’t want to be an organ donor, you will be considered for patient transplants. This is much more efficient, and reduces misunderstandings that will save lives. Right now, 91% of families agree to donate, knowing their loved one is on the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR).
What first interested you in specialising as a nurse?
The transformation of life. I am also a keen learner; I understand the realities of people’s lives and want to do what I can to help. Training-wise, the move into academia and renal transplants afforded me a lot more opportunities and a networking platform. This has been very useful for the sharing an implementing of important ideas. Currently working in the liver transplant unit, I am enjoying learning more on the broad topic of transplants.
And has the NHS done all they can to help your campaigning?
Absolutely, yes. I’m also invited to give talks to different communities under the organisation, and can liaise with important national bodies.
Finally, what advice would you give other young medical staff who care deeply for their profession at a time of such high pressure?
Take pride in what you do. You’ve got to follow procedure and perhaps achieve certain targets, but remember that care and love facilitate the NHS as much as financial support. At the end of the day, it is about finding satisfaction in a patient’s thankful smile.
Become a donor: join the NHS Organ Donor Register, or call on: 0300 123 23 23
