New Delhi, Aug 2 (NationPress) Reinforcing its national leadership in cadaver organ donation, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here on Saturday achieved the Best ROTTO Award for the second consecutive year, marking its third national accolade since the award's inception in 2019.

The recognition was presented by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda during the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day celebrations held at Dr B.R. Ambedkar International Centre, organized under the auspices of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO).

Minister Nadda commended the significant advancements made by the nation in recent years to promote ethical organ donation, enhance transplantation coordination, and raise impactful public awareness.

The award was accepted by a PGIMER delegation, headed by Director Prof. Vivek Lal, alongside Deputy Director (Administration) Pankaj Rai, Medical Superintendent Vipin Koushal, and Consultant (IEC/Media) Saryu D. Madra.

The event saw participation from across the country, gathering secretaries from various states, leaders of major institutions, civil society organizations, NGOs, and transplant coordinators, making it a noteworthy occasion.

Additionally, PGIMER Chandigarh was honored with the award for the Best Brain Stem Death (BSD) Declaration Team, recognizing the institute’s commitment to transparent, timely, and ethically sound donor identification and management protocols.

Expressing profound satisfaction and pride, PGIMER Director Prof. Vivek Lal stated, “This recognition not only reflects our accomplishments but also highlights our dedication to a cause that saves lives. It reaffirms the trust placed in PGIMER’s ROTTO North by donor families, transplant teams, and the government alike.”

Medical Superintendent and nodal officer of ROTTO, Vipin Koushal, remarked, “This award is a collective victory for our teams, donor families, and countless recipients whose lives have been transformed. It’s a powerful reminder that organ donation transcends medical acts; it is a profound act of humanity.”

A particularly moving moment was the recognition of Krishna, a male heart recipient, along with his parents Bhupinder and Madhu. Their presence served as a compelling testament to the life-altering potential of organ donation and underscored the motivation behind every effort in this field.

With this achievement, ROTTO PGIMER Chandigarh has now won the Best ROTTO Award three times: in 2019, 2024, and 2025, solidifying its leadership in the national transplant movement.

In previous years, PGIMER has also received four national awards for Best Hospital in Deceased Organ Donation (2015-16, 2016-17, 2018-19, 2019-20), and in 2022-23, it was acknowledged for having the Highest Number of Deceased Donors.