Telangana has been recognized for its outstanding efforts in organ donation, achieving the highest rate across India. In 2024, the state recorded 4.88 donors per million people, significantly higher than the national average of 0.8. This achievement earned Telangana a national award at a ceremony in New Delhi, celebrating the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day, organized by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO).
Dr. G Mallikarjun and the Jeevandan Team accepted the award on behalf of the Telangana government from Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda. The Jeevandan initiative, led by Telangana, has been a leader in promoting organ donation awareness, coordination, and successful transplants, setting an example for the entire country.
Started in 2012, Jeevandan is managed by the Cadaver Transplantation Advisory Committee (CTAC) and the Appropriate Authority for Cadaver Transplantation (AACT). The Special Chief Secretary of Health oversees CTAC, while the Director of Medical Education leads AACT. The Director of Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) is the Co-Chairman. Since its launch, the program has facilitated donations from 1,673 deceased donors, leading to 6,309 organ and tissue transplants. This acknowledgment highlights Telangana’s commitment to ethical organ donation, with significant contributions from donor families.
Officials report a steady rise in donors and donations over the past decade. In 2013, there were 41 donors providing 189 organs, including kidneys, livers, and hearts. The numbers continued to grow, with 51 donors in 2014 and over 500 donations by 2017. In 2023, Telangana achieved its highest with 729 organ donations.
