Home / Health / Telangana's Organ Donation Success Marred by Waiting List Deaths
Telangana's Organ Donation Success Marred by Waiting List Deaths
13 Aug
Summary
- One in five patients died waiting for organ transplants in Telangana.
- Over 4,106 patients died while waiting for organs between 2013 and 2026.
- Lack of hospital participation is a major reason for the organ donation gap.
Telangana's Jeevandan program has achieved national acclaim, earning awards for recording the highest cadaver organ donation rate in the country for 2024 and 2025. However, a stark contrast exists within the program's data from 2013 to 2026.
During this period, 19,386 patients registered for organ transplants in Telangana. Tragically, at least 4,106 of these individuals died while awaiting a suitable organ. While 5,307 patients received transplants, approximately 9,413 remain on the waiting list.
This imbalance is evident in the annual transplant-to-donation ratio, with organ donations consistently remaining below 1,000, while annual transplants range between 7,500 and 8,000. A significant contributor to the waiting list deaths is the lack of consistent participation from government and private hospitals. Officials cite challenges like insufficient trained staff, legal concerns, and a lack of counselling teams as reasons for missed donation opportunities.
Efforts are underway to increase awareness, with officials emphasizing the need for greater public participation and targeted campaigns involving educational institutions and community leaders. The goal is to bridge the gap between the state's donation success and the critical need for organs among waiting patients.
