Organ donation gap widens as India's waiting list reaches 90,000 patients

A senior transplant surgeon has urged Indians to pledge their organs as the nation grapples with a widening gap between supply and demand that has left more than 90,000 patients waiting for life-saving procedures.

Dr. K.V. Pradeep Krishna, senior consultant at Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, made the appeal during a World Organ Donation Day event organised by the Sushodha Institute of Gastroenterology in Shivamogga on Sunday.

Transplant numbers climb but waiting list grows faster

India performed over 20,000 organ transplants in 2025, yet the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) recorded more than 90,000 patients on the waiting list for major organ transplants as of March 2026. Dr. Krishna, who has conducted several organ transplantation surgeries, said the figures underscore the urgent need for greater public awareness.

"The figures from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation highlight the need for greater awareness to encourage people to consider organ donation," he said.

Brain-dead donors face tight timeline

While transplantation techniques have advanced significantly, the shortage of organs remains a major challenge, Dr. Krishna said. Brain-dead individuals cleared by a panel of experts can donate the heart, kidneys and lungs, but transplantation procedures must be completed within a strict timeline.

"In the case of brain-dead patients, family members and relatives can volunteer to donate the organs," he explained.

Living donors offer path for liver patients

Patients with chronic liver disease can lead healthy lives after liver transplantation, and living individuals can donate a portion of their liver for the procedure, Dr. Krishna said. "There are many cases where patients have recovered fully after liver transplantation," he added.

The programme featured Rajashekharaiah, a Shivamogga resident who underwent liver transplantation four months ago after his daughter donated part of her liver. Dr. Pradeep Kumar J.M., hepatologist and endoscopist at the Sushodha Institute of Gastroenterology, also attended the event.

Dr. Krishna described organ donation as "one of the most powerful acts of compassion".

Source: The Hindu