India’s Organ Donation Rate Remains Critically Low

Why in the News?

India recorded 18,900 organ transplants in 2024, the highest ever in a year, yet the donation rate stands at just 0.81 per million, far below global leaders like Spain (52 pmp), highlighting a persistent organ availability gap. This news brings attention to the critical need for increased awareness about organ donation and improved transplant programs across the country.

Current Status and Challenges:

• India performed 18,900 organ transplants in 2024, a sharp rise from less than 5,000 in 2013.
• Despite this growth, the organ donation rate is just 0.81 per million population, much lower than Spain (52 pmp).
• The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) compiles state and UT data on organ donations and oversees transplant programs, including organ retrieval processes.
• Over 63,000 patients require kidney transplant and 22,000 need liver transplant, but demand far exceeds supply, leading to critical organ failure cases.
• The gap is largely due to lack of awareness, social hesitation, and myths surrounding deceased organ donation.

Government Efforts and Legal Framework

• The government is working to spread organ donation awareness on deceased organ donation, leading to gradual improvement in transplant surgery rates and support for donor families.
• Organ donation is regulated under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994.
• THOTA empowers State Appropriate Authorities (SAA) to monitor, investigate violations, and ensure compliance by hospitals in organ procurement and transplant programs.
• Union Health Minister JP Nadda stressed the urgent need to bridge the gap between patients waiting for organs and available donors, during the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day.
• Efforts are being made to train more transplant coordinators to facilitate the organ retrieval process and support donor families.
• The government is also working on developing a comprehensive organ transport policy to improve the efficiency of organ allocation and transportation.