Telangana's Organ Donation Success Marred by Patient Deaths

Telangana's Jeevandan programme has been nationally recognized for its high cadaver organ donation rates for two consecutive years, 2024 and 2025, earning awards from the Centre and NOTTO. However, official data from 2013 to 2026 reveals a somber reality: one in five patients registered for transplants died while awaiting an organ. Out of 19,386 registered patients, 4,106 died, and 9,413 remain on the waiting list, despite 5,307 successful transplants. The annual transplant numbers far exceed donations, with liver and kidney donations being the most frequent.

A senior official attributes this persistent gap to insufficient participation from government and private hospitals, noting that only a few private hospitals consistently contribute, unlike in states like Tamil Nadu. Challenges also include hospitals hesitating to declare brain-dead patients due to a lack of trained staff, legal concerns, or absence of counselling teams, leading to unreported cases. Furthermore, relatives of recipients have not pledged organs, and persuading families to consent to donation remains difficult due to emotional hesitation and misconceptions.

To address this, officials advocate for stricter implementation of mandatory data submission for live organ transplants by all hospitals, a rule many corporate hospitals have failed to follow for years. Recommendations also include establishing mandatory organ retrieval centers in larger hospitals and improving coordination between hospitals, transplant coordinators, and Jeevandan to reduce delays. Enhanced awareness campaigns involving educational institutions and community leaders, alongside greater public participation and timely counselling, are crucial to bridge the gap between organ donations and the critical need for transplants.