New Delhi | Union Health Minister JP Nadda announced that India performed over 18,900 organ transplants in 2024, marking the highest number ever recorded in a single year. He was speaking at the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in the capital.
The event was organised by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health. Highlighting the government’s commitment, Nadda said that organ donation and transplantation processes are being continuously streamlined to ensure broader access and benefit for citizens.
He revealed that since the launch of the Aadhaar-linked NOTTO online pledge portal in 2023, more than 3.30 lakh people have pledged to donate their organs, marking a “historic moment” in public awareness and participation.
“India now ranks third globally in total organ transplants, behind only the United States and China,” the minister said. He called organ donation “one of the noblest acts of humanity” and urged more citizens to step forward and contribute to saving lives.
The country has made a significant leap from fewer than 5,000 transplants in 2013 to nearly four times that number in 2024. However, the minister cautioned that the gap between patients awaiting transplants and available donors remains stark, largely due to persistent myths, misconceptions, and lack of awareness.
“Every year, thousands await transplants. While willingness to donate exists, awareness remains a major hurdle. Today gives us an opportunity to honour donors and their families and to encourage more open conversation around organ donation,” Nadda said.
He also pointed to the rising number of organ failure cases as a growing public health concern and stressed the importance of expanding access to transplantation services.
In terms of financial support, the Minister announced that under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, poor patients receive up to ₹15 lakh for kidney, liver, heart, or lung transplants, along with ₹10,000 monthly post-transplant assistance. Furthermore, kidney transplants have been included in the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
The Health Ministry aims to continue improving infrastructure, increasing public education, and supporting patients financially to ensure equitable and accessible organ transplant services across the country.
