Published Apr 12, 2026 | 7:05 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 12, 2026 | 7:05 AM
A significant proportion of organ donations continues to come from accident victims. (iStock)
Synopsis: Tamil Nadu is seeing a steady rise in organ donations so far in 2026, but demand still far exceeds supply, leaving thousands on waiting lists. Despite a structured allocation system and policy support, challenges like organ shortages, high rejection rates, and uneven access continue to limit life-saving transplants.
Tamil Nadu has recorded 95 deceased organ donations in the first three months of 2026, according to Dr Gopalakrishnan Natarajan, Member-Secretary, Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (TRANSTAN).
On average, the first quarter posted more than one organ transplant a day. “The number of organ donations has been steadily rising this year,” Dr Natarajan told South First.
However, the demand for life organs is also on the rise in Tamil Nadu, with 8,955 people currently on waiting lists across categories.
The state is following a structured and transparent system in allocating organs to ensure fairness, Dr Arul Prakash, Clinical Lead and Senior Consultant, Medical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, SRM Prime Hospital, Chennai, said.
“If a donor is identified in a government hospital, the priority is given to patients listed there. If no suitable recipient is available, the organ moves to a common pool of private hospitals,” he explained.
Dr Prakash noted that allocation among private hospitals follows a rotational system.
“It works on a rota — hospitals are listed in sequence, and organs are distributed accordingly. However, if there is a critically ill patient, priority can be reassessed and the organ allocated based on urgency,” he told South First.
The waiting time, however, remains unpredictable. “It depends on blood group and disease severity. Some patients receive organs quickly, while others wait much longer,” Dr Prakash noted.
The waiting period is long since there is a mismatch between the needy and the donations, he said, adding that rare blood groups can either shorten or prolong waiting periods significantly.
According to TRANSTAN data, the state has recorded 12,413 transplants and tissue donations so far. This includes 7,566 major organ transplants, led by 3,727 kidney transplants, followed by 1,887 liver, 944 lung, and 933 heart transplants.
Other donations include 3,097 corneas, 1,047 heart valves, and 388 bone donations, along with smaller numbers across skin, pancreas and other tissues, reflecting the scale and diversity of the state’s transplant programme.
However, the demand remains high. The active waiting list includes 8,132 patients for kidney transplants, 644 for liver, 99 for heart, and 65 for dual lungs, highlighting the persistent gap between need and availability.
A significant proportion of organ donations continues to come from accident victims, with nearly 73% of donors linked to road traffic accidents. This trend reflects a larger road safety concern.
In the first half of 2025, Tamil Nadu reported 34,611 road accidents and 8,562 deaths, averaging 192 accidents and 48 deaths per day, according to data placed in the Rajya Sabha by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Tamil Nadu’s transplant network includes a strong private sector presence, with 121 authorised private hospitals alongside government centres. While government hospitals play a key role in identifying donors, private hospitals handle a large share of complex transplant procedures.
Dr Prakash noted that advanced transplants are concentrated in specialised centres.
“There are very few centres that perform heart and lung transplants because of their complexity. Government hospitals largely handle kidney and some liver transplants, while corporate hospitals take up more advanced procedures,” he said.
He also pointed to the need for greater public awareness. “There are still misconceptions about organ donation, often influenced by misinformation through social media and even movies.”
He added that, in reality, the system operates with strict safeguards, and improving awareness—especially among younger people—could significantly increase organ donation rates.
To improve access, the state has implemented financial support under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIC), which assists up to ₹22 lakh for transplant procedures.
According to CMCHIC, so far, 588 end-stage organ failure patients have benefited from the scheme, helping reduce the financial burden associated with transplants.
While this has improved affordability, experts said access is dependent on the availability of organs, infrastructure readiness, and timely intervention.
Despite strong donation numbers, challenges persist in ensuring optimal use of available organs.
Dr Thiagarajan Srinivasan, Director of the Institute of Liver Diseases and Transplantation, MGM Healthcare, Chennai, said that while the state’s donation rate is encouraging, utilisation remains a concern.
“This is among the best donation rates in the country, but we are still seeing losses. Recently, I have seen four rejections,” he told South First, pointing to gaps in donor management.
He noted that rejection rates remain higher than global averages. “While the global rejection rate is around 10%, we are seeing figures closer to 25% here. If donors are managed better, more organs — including hearts, livers and kidneys — can be utilised effectively,” he said.
He also highlighted challenges in allocation and waiting time. “The waiting time is high, and sometimes sicker patients are not getting priority as expected. There should be a more equitable mechanism so that organs reach those who need them most,” he said.
Calling for systemic improvements, he added, “Dedicated intensive care teams across government hospitals can improve donor management. With better protocols, we can increase utilisation from the existing donor pool.”
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
