SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has seen a marked increase in the number of organ transplants in recent years, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s response to a question in the Lok Sabha on December 13, 2024.
The region, which recorded 21 transplants in 2021, experienced a steady rise with 52 in 2022 and 51 in 2023, highlighting a growing trend in organ donations and transplants in the Union Territory. While these numbers remain modest compared to more populous states, the trend marks a positive shift for healthcare services in the region.
This rise in Jammu and Kashmir is part of a broader national growth in organ transplants. Over the past three years, India has seen a significant increase in organ transplant surgeries, with a total of 18,378 procedures in 2023, compared to 16,041 in 2022 and 12,259 in 2021. The surge reflects an expanding network of organ donation programs and increased awareness of the benefits of organ donation across the country.
In Jammu and Kashmir, the majority of transplants are conducted in government hospitals, with all reported transplants in 2021, 2022, and 2023 being carried out in these institutions. This trend contrasts with the national average, where a significant proportion of transplants are done in private hospitals. In 2023, the total number of organ transplants in India’s government hospitals was 2,151, while private hospitals performed 10,701.
The cost of organ transplants remains a key issue, with expenses varying significantly between government and private healthcare facilities. For instance, a heart transplant can cost around Rs. 15 lakhs, while a kidney transplant may cost between Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 3.45 lakhs, depending on whether the donor is related or unrelated. The government’s efforts to address these costs include providing free or subsidized treatment in central government hospitals and through schemes like Ayushman Bharat.
Prataprao Jadhav, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to increase the availability of organ transplants across the country. He noted that with the support of national schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), kidney transplants are available at empanelled hospitals at subsidised rates, helping to make life-saving procedures more accessible to citizens, including those in Jammu and Kashmir.
The rise in organ transplants in Jammu and Kashmir, while still low compared to other states, signals a positive change in the region’s healthcare landscape, which continues to evolve with increased access to medical technologies and greater public awareness of the importance of organ donation. As the country continues to push for increased organ donation rates, Jammu and Kashmir’s growing numbers offer hope for expanding transplant services and improving healthcare outcomes in the region.
In a separate intervention, the government said that over the past decade, the Government of India has made substantial efforts to promote organ and tissue donation and transplantation, with significant results in both awareness and accessibility. According to recent statements from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, these initiatives have led to a consistent increase in both organ and tissue donations, alongside efforts to curb illegal organ trade.
One of the most important initiatives in this area has been the National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP), which aims to improve access to organ transplantation for the needy by enhancing awareness about deceased organ donation, setting up an efficient organ procurement and distribution mechanism, and strengthening public sector infrastructure. Under the NOTP, a network has been established, which includes the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), five Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (ROTTOs), and 21 State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (SOTTOs). More than 900 hospitals and institutions are now part of this network.
Government campaigns and initiatives have played a vital role in spreading awareness. In the last decade, programs such as the Indian Organ Donation Day, various awareness activities like marathons and walkathons, and educational initiatives in schools have been organized to encourage the public to donate organs. The government has also made use of social media, print media, and TV to broadcast information, with a specific focus on the legal aspects of organ donation and brain stem death. The introduction of the Aadhar-linked digital portal for pledging organ donation in 2023 marked a significant step forward, with over 2 lakh citizens pledging to donate their organs.
The government has worked hard to make organ transplantation more affordable for Indian citizens. Kidney transplantation has been included in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) scheme, providing financial support for individuals in need. Further, under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), up to Rs. 15 lakh in financial support is available for patients below the poverty line for heart, lung, liver, kidney, and other organ transplants. Additionally, the government provides financial assistance of up to Rs. 10,000 per month for transplant recipients for post-surgery immunosuppressant medications.
Addressing concerns over illegal organ trade, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been actively working with state governments to ensure strict enforcement of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994. This act mandates the creation of an appropriate authority in each state to investigate complaints and ensure compliance. Furthermore, a national registry, maintained by NOTTO, tracks all organ and tissue donations and transplants, ensuring transparency in the process. Awareness campaigns have been conducted to inform citizens of the legal provisions surrounding organ donation and discourage participation in illegal activities.
The impact of these efforts is evident in the statistics for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. From 2014 to 2023, India saw a steady increase in the number of organ transplants, with the total rising from 6,916 in 2014 to 18,378 in 2023. Similarly, organ donations grew from 6,294 in 2014 to 16,542 in 2023. Tissue donations and transplants also saw significant growth, with tissue transplants increasing from 6,403 in 2018 to 6,918 in 2023, although the number of tissue donations did experience some fluctuations over the years.
In 2014, India recorded 6,916 organ transplants and 6,294 organ donations. This number grew steadily over the years, with notable spikes in 2019, when 12,666 transplants and 11,323 donations were recorded, and in 2022, with 16,041 transplants and 14,300 donations. The figures for 2023 showed a significant high, with 18,378 organ transplants and 16,542 donations. Similarly, tissue transplants increased from 6,403 in 2018 to 6,918 in 2023, with tissue donations rising from 8,996 in 2018 to 6,918 in 2023.
Prataprao Jadhav, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, emphasised that while these numbers reflect significant progress, continued public awareness and community engagement are essential to increasing organ donation rates. “The government remains committed to improving healthcare access for all, and ensuring that organ and tissue donation becomes a regular practice across the nation,” he said.
India’s efforts to improve organ and tissue donation, alongside its dedication to eliminating illegal organ trade, are creating a more transparent and accessible system for those in need of life-saving transplants, while ensuring the safety and dignity of donors and recipients alike.
