Is Telangana Leading the Way in Organ Donation?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Telangana ranks first in organ donation in India for 2024.
- A total of 188 brain-dead donors contributed to saving 725 lives.
- The state has a donation rate of 4.88 per 10 lakh population, significantly higher than the national average.
- Telangana received the NOTTO Award for its exceptional organ donation initiatives.
- The new legislation aims to regulate organ transplantation and prevent trafficking.
Hyderabad, Aug 3 (NationPress) Telangana has achieved the prestigious title of the highest-ranking state in organ donation across India in 2024.
A remarkable total of 188 brain-dead donors facilitated organ donations within the state this year, resulting in 725 lives being saved through successful transplant procedures.
State officials noted that with 4.88 donations per 10 lakh population, Telangana's rate significantly surpasses the national average of 0.8.
At the National Organ Donation Day ceremony held in Delhi, Telangana was honored with the NOTTO Award. This award was presented by Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda to representatives of Jeevandan, the organ donation initiative in Telangana.
The National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) recognized Telangana for having the highest organ donation rate during the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day.
This accolade reflects Telangana's outstanding contributions to organ donation and transplantation efforts.
Damodar Raja Narasimha, the Health Minister of Telangana, expressed his delight at this achievement, recalling the initiation of Jeevandan back in 2012 when Andhra Pradesh was still united.
He highlighted the state's commitment to implementing the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), aimed at ensuring equitable and transparent organ distribution across all economic strata.
Furthermore, he encouraged citizens to pledge their organs, especially in instances of brain death, to avoid wasting valuable organs. He reaffirmed that organ transplant surgeries are conducted free of charge under the Aarogyasri scheme.
Earlier this year in March, the Telangana Transplantation of Human Organs Bill, 2025 was passed by the Legislative Assembly, aligning the state's organ transplantation laws with the Central Act and combating organ trafficking.
This new legislation replaces the Telangana Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1995, which was originally enacted in undivided Andhra Pradesh. The 1995 Act, still in effect since Telangana's formation, was modeled after the THOTA 1994, a law established by the Indian Parliament to regulate organ donation and prevent commercial transactions in human organs.