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2,805 Die Waiting: Delhi Leads Organ Transplant Deaths
11 Dec
Summary
- Nearly 3,000 Indians died waiting for organ transplants from 2020-2024.
- Maharashtra has the longest organ transplant waitlist with 20,553 patients.
- Delhi faces high transplant deaths despite conducting many procedures.
Tragically, almost 3,000 individuals across India succumbed to their illnesses while awaiting organ transplants between 2020 and 2024. The national capital, Delhi, recorded the highest number of such deaths, with 1,425 patients dying while on waiting lists. This situation is mirrored in Maharashtra, which currently lists the most patients needing transplants—20,553—with a significant demand for kidney organs.
While Delhi performs a substantial number of organ transplantations, the data indicates a reliance on organs from living relatives rather than deceased donors. This contrasts with states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, where longer waitlists suggest a greater need for deceased donor organs. Patients nationwide are registered on a central portal, awaiting their turn for a life-saving donation.
As of December 2025, over 82,000 patients are awaiting various organ transplants, including kidneys, livers, hearts, and lungs. States are increasingly exploring uniform organ allocation processes to address these disparities, with national bodies aiming to standardize criteria for a more equitable system. The wait for a deceased donor organ can range from months to several years.
