Tamil Nadu Organ Transplants Surge 180%

Organ transplantation in Tamil Nadu experienced a remarkable surge of approximately 180% from 2021 to November 2025, with major organ transplants increasing from 280 to 785. This period saw a significant rise in deceased donors, with numbers reaching 268 in 2024. However, this increase has not translated into a proportional rise in heart and lung transplant utilization.

While kidney and liver transplants boast high utilization rates, heart and lung transplants lag considerably. Experts cite challenges such as organ viability thresholds, limited preservation times, and donor-recipient size mismatches as primary reasons. The ischemic time for heart and lung transplants, which is critical for organ survival, presents logistical difficulties, especially for organs retrieved from remote locations.

Efforts are underway to improve organ utilization, focusing on quicker retrieval processes and better management of deceased donors. Despite the growing number of donors, the successful transplantation of hearts and lungs remains a complex issue, requiring further advancements in logistics, preservation techniques, and donor-recipient matching to overcome existing barriers.