Nadda sounds alarm on rising organ failures, calls for increased donation awareness
'Every year, thousands of patients await life-saving organ transplants. Despite this urgent need, a significant gap persists between those waiting for transplants and the number of available donors,' he said here at an event held to mark the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day. The event was organized by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) under the aegis of Directorate General of Health Services, Union Health Ministry.
The Minister emphasized that this gap is not due to unwillingness but largely stems from lack of awareness and deep-rooted myths and misconceptions surrounding organ donation. 'Today is a crucial day that offers us a platform to raise awareness, promote open conversations, and honor the noble contributions of donors and their families,' he added.
Nadda also urged society to overcome hesitation and misconceptions to strengthen organ donation efforts and save countless lives.
Highlighting the strides made by India in the direction of organ donation, Nadda stated that India has achieved a remarkable milestone of performing over 18,900 organ transplants in 2024, the highest ever recorded in a single year. This is a significant leap from fewer than 5,000 transplants in 2013. India ranks third globally in the total number of organ transplants, behind only the United States of America and China.
Nadda also highlighted that 'India leads the world in hand transplants showcasing our cutting-edge surgical capabilities and the unwavering dedication of our medical professionals.'
The Minister also addressed the issue of gap between requirement of organs and available donors and emphasized the need for greater awareness, more public dialogues, timely consent from families and robust system to support diseased donation. He stated, 'Each organ donor is a silent hero, someone whose selfless act transforms grief into hope and loss into lives. One person can save up to 8 lives by donating heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and intestines. Additionally, countless more lives can be transformed through tissue donations.'
Underlining the Government's efforts for organ transplantation, Nadda stated, 'to make organ transplant more accessible, financial support of up to Rs 15 lakh is provided to poor patients for transplantation of kidneys, liver, heart and lungs under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi. Poor patients are provided support of up to Rs 10,000 per month after transplant to cover the medical expenses. Kidney transplant package has also been included in Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).'
Nadda emphasised, 'unhealthy lifestyle and food habits are among the major factors leading to organ failure. It is therefore necessary to take preventive measures and lifestyle interventions.' Urging all to adopt Yoga to promote overall wellbeing, he stated that 'Ayurveda and Yoga offer simple practices to strengthen our organs and boost immunity. We must adopt Yoga to promote overall wellbeing.'
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