Organ donation in Kerala rises in 2025

The recent news from Kerala, reporting a significant surge in deceased organ donations from 11 in 2024 to 25 in 2025, offers a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of community awareness in public health. This more than doubling of donations is not merely a statistic; it represents a turning point in the fight against organ shortage, potentially saving numerous lives and setting a precedent for other Indian states.

Historically, India has grappled with an acute shortage of organs for transplantation. While the demand for organs like kidneys, liver, heart, and lungs is immense, the supply, particularly from deceased donors, has remained woefully low. This deficit leads to long waiting lists, critical health deterioration for patients, and unfortunately, many preventable deaths. The primary reasons for this low rate have been a combination of lack of awareness, prevailing superstitions, cultural barriers, inadequate infrastructure for organ retrieval and transplantation, and a general reluctance to donate organs post-death. The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), initially enacted in 1994 and significantly amended in 2011, was a landmark legislative step to regulate organ transplantation, prevent commercial dealings, and promote deceased organ donation. However, implementing its spirit effectively across all states has been a continuous challenge.

What specifically happened in Kerala is a remarkable shift. The article attributes this rise directly to "a rise in awareness among the community." This suggests successful public health campaigns, educational initiatives, and perhaps the efforts of medical professionals and civil society organizations in demystifying the process of organ donation and highlighting its life-saving potential. Kerala's high literacy rate and proactive public health policies might have contributed to the effectiveness of these awareness drives.

Several key stakeholders are involved in this critical area. At the forefront are the **State Government and its Health Department**, which formulate policies, allocate resources, and oversee the implementation of organ donation programs. Organizations like the **State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO)**, under the aegis of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), play a crucial role in coordinating organ allocation, maintaining registries, and promoting donation. **Medical professionals**, including intensivists, neurophysicians, transplant surgeons, and transplant coordinators, are vital for identifying potential donors, maintaining their organs, and performing complex transplant surgeries. **Hospitals**, both public and private, with advanced facilities, form the operational backbone. **Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)** like the MOHAN Foundation have been instrumental nationwide in conducting awareness campaigns and facilitating the donation process. Crucially, the **community and potential donor families** are the ultimate decision-makers, and their informed consent is paramount. Finally, the **media** plays a significant role in disseminating information and shaping public opinion.

This development holds immense significance for India. Firstly, it offers a replicable model. If Kerala can achieve such a substantial increase, it demonstrates that targeted awareness campaigns and robust coordination can yield positive results elsewhere. Secondly, it contributes to addressing the national organ shortage, directly improving public health outcomes and saving lives. This aligns with the constitutional directive under **Article 47** of the Directive Principles of State Policy, which mandates the State to improve public health. Furthermore, successful organ donation programs indirectly uphold the spirit of **Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty)**, by ensuring access to life-saving medical treatment for those in need. The increased acceptance also combats the ethical concerns and illegal organ trade that THOTA specifically seeks to prevent.

Looking ahead, the future implications are profound. Kerala's success story needs to be sustained and scaled. This would require continuous public education, strengthening of the organ retrieval and transplant infrastructure, training more transplant coordinators, and ensuring transparency in the allocation process. There's also a need to explore innovative approaches, such as potentially moving towards an 'opt-out' system (where all adults are presumed to be donors unless they explicitly opt out), though such a move requires significant public discourse and careful ethical consideration in India. The progress in Kerala could inspire a national movement, leveraging the **National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP)** more effectively to create a more robust and equitable organ donation ecosystem across the country, ultimately giving a new lease on life to thousands of waiting patients.