Home / Health / Telangana Children's Transplant Crisis: 7 in 8 Miss Out
Telangana Children's Transplant Crisis: 7 in 8 Miss Out
25 Aug
Summary
- Over 43% of registered children died waiting for transplants.
- Adult organs often too large for pediatric recipients.
- Government hospitals contribute minimally to paediatric donations.
In Telangana, a significant shortfall exists in paediatric organ transplants, with official Jeevandan records indicating that approximately 86% of registered children did not receive transplants between 2013 and 2026. Of the 300 children registered, only 42 underwent transplantation, while at least 130 died. Another 81 children remain active patients on the waiting list.
A primary obstacle is the scarcity of paediatric donors and the size mismatch between adult organs and children's bodies. Surgeons are exploring techniques to utilize parts of adult organs, but many children's health deteriorates during the extended waiting periods.
Furthermore, a lack of specialized paediatric transplant expertise and inadequate counselling teams at hospitals contribute to under-reported brain deaths and delayed declarations. Government hospitals, in particular, have shown minimal contribution to organ donations, despite a recent increase in registrations for paediatric organs.
Experts recommend establishing mandatory organ retrieval centres in all large hospitals and increasing the recruitment of paediatric surgeons. Enhanced coordination among hospitals, transplant coordinators, and Jeevandan, alongside targeted awareness campaigns involving community leaders and greater family participation, are crucial to alleviate the crisis.
