Rajasthan's Organ Transplant Gap: Awards vs. Reality

Rajasthan has been recognized with national awards in 2025 for organ donation and public awareness efforts. However, this acclaim starkly contrasts with the state's limited progress in transplant outcomes. Since February 5, 2015, Rajasthan has documented 81 cadaveric organ donations, yielding 286 organs and tissues. These donations have facilitated 150 kidney transplants, 70 liver transplants, 35 heart transplants, nine lung transplants, and corneas for 18 patients.

Despite widespread awareness, the state's public health system has not substantially increased its transplant capacity. SMS Hospital in Jaipur and AIIMS Jodhpur are the only government hospitals with full-fledged cadaver organ donation and transplantation programs. Although medical colleges in Ajmer, Kota, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner have been developed for organ retrieval, the lack of adequate transplant infrastructure remains a major bottleneck. Essential facilities like modular operation theatres with HEPA filters and specialized ICUs are missing in most government institutions, limiting their ability to perform transplants.

The health department has stated that measures are being taken to establish more cadaver organ donation centers beyond Jaipur. However, organs must be transplanted promptly in equipped hospitals, a capability currently limited to a few private hospitals and the two mentioned government facilities. In 2025, the central government requested detailed information on Rajasthan's organ transplant infrastructure, underscoring the need for improved facilities and practices.