Telangana ranks second in organ donation
HYDERABAD: Organ donation in India has increased four-fold over the past 12 years, according to a report released by the Union ministry of health and family welfare on Monday.
The number of organ donors, which was below 5,000 in 2013, rose to 20,000 in 2025, official data show. Last year, 1,200 families across the country donated the organs of their loved ones, helping save several lives.
Telangana ranked second among states in organ donation, surpassing the national average.
Families seek formal recognition
Despite the progress, families of deceased donors in Telangana have not received formal recognition on par with some other states, stakeholders said.
In Kerala, a 10-month-old baby was declared brain-dead by doctors recently. Despite their grief, the family donated the child’s organs, saving four lives. The Kerala government conducted the last rites with official honours, drawing national attention.
Andhra Pradesh has also issued orders to conduct last rites with official honours for organ donors. Though the Telangana medical and health department issued similar instructions, they are yet to be implemented.
Officials said recognition from senior authorities and district collectors could encourage more families to come forward.
Donations, transplants and gaps
According to official data, organs collected in the state include 291 kidneys, 186 livers, 32 hearts, 95 small intestines, two lungs, 154 corneas and three skin donations.
The number of organ donors in Telangana rose from 162 in 2021 to 194 in 2022, 200 in 2023, 188 in 2024 and 205 in 2025.
Of the total donors last year, only eight donations were from government hospitals, while 197 were from private hospitals.
The state government has recently set up dedicated operation theatres for organ donation in hospitals. Experts said awareness programmes must be expanded across all government hospitals.
Anyone can register for organ donation through the Jeevandan government website by filling in donor details and submitting a consent form. Last year, 4 lakh people registered for organ donation with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO).
More awareness needed
“Though organ donations are relatively high here, awareness must increase further. Many are waiting for donors. Families of brain-dead patients often hesitate to consent. They must be informed about the value of organ donation. Transplant cases in government hospitals should also increase,” said Dr Sribhushan Raju, nodal officer, Jeevandan Trust, NIMS, Hyderabad.
Honour donors, say activists
“Several voluntary organisations conduct programmes on the importance of Jeevandan. But donors do not receive due recognition. The government should conduct last rites with official honours and issue commendation certificates through collectors, as done in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh,” said Shravan Kumar, national president of a voluntary organisation.
