After Tamil Nadu, Karnataka to accord state honours to organ donors

“The state (Karnataka) government is contemplating the recognition and appreciation of individuals and families who selflessly contribute to saving lives through organ donation, without expecting anything in return,” Gundu Rao said.

“The government is considering issuing certificates to those who donate organs and organising funerals with state honours for organ donors, following the Tamil Nadu model. As part of this initiative, the government will soon formulate a policy aimed at raising awareness about the significance of organ donation and promoting greater participation in this noble cause,” he added.

ಯಾವುದೇ ಪ್ರತಿಫಲಾಪೇಕ್ಷೆ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಮಾನವೀಯ ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ‘ಅಂಗಾಂಗ ದಾನ’ ಮಾಡಿ ಇನ್ನೊಬ್ಬರ ಜೀವ ಉಳಿಸಲು ನೆರವಾಗುವ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಮತ್ತು ಕುಟುಂಬದವನ್ನು ಗುರುತಿಸಿ ಗೌರವಿಸಲು ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರವು ಚಿಂತನೆ ನಡೆಸಿದೆ.

ಅಂಗಾಂಗ ದಾನ ಮಾಡುವ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಅಥವಾ ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳಿಗೆ ಪ್ರಮಾಣಪತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡಿ ಗೌರವಿಸುವ ಹಾಗು ತಮಿಳುನಾಡು ಮಾದರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ…

— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) November 3, 2023

In 2022, Karnataka witnessed 837 organ donations. Among these, the highest number of donations were of kidneys, with 232 instances of live kidney donations and 291 cases of cadaver donations. Additionally, there were 127 live donations and 124 cadaver liver donations.

The state also reported 46 heart donations, 13 lung donations, and four pancreas donations. It is noteworthy that Karnataka ranks sixth in organ donations in the country, with Delhi leading the nation.

Also read: Meet India’s youngest living organ donor, who saved her father

Tamil Nadu leads the way

On 23 September this year, the Tamil Nadu government announced that the organ donors would be laid to rest with state honours.

“Through the mechanism of organ donation, Tamil Nadu continues to illuminate the nation, offering a lifeline to hundreds of patients grappling with various illnesses,” said Chief Minister MK Stalin while announcing the decision on X (formerly Twitter).

“By gifting their organs, paying homage to the spirit of sacrifice, and celebrating the act of protecting lives, these donors have reshaped the government’s approach to the final stages of the organ donation process. The last rites of those who selflessly provide organs for others will now be conducted with enhanced government respect and honour,” he added.

உடல் உறுப்பு தானத்தின் மூலம் நூற்றுக்கணக்கான நோயாளிகளுக்கு வாழ்வளிக்கும் அரும்பணியில் நாட்டின் முன்னணி மாநிலமாகத் தமிழ்நாடு தொடர்ந்து விளங்கி வருகின்றது.

குடும்ப உறுப்பினர்கள் மூளைச்சாவு நிலையை அடைந்த துயரச் சூழலிலும், அவர்களின் உடல் உறுப்புகளைத் தானமாக அளித்திட முன்வரும்…

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 23, 2023

Following the announcement a 43-year-old man who was declared brain-dead and had his organs harvested for donation was posthumously accorded state honours in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu.

Also read: India’s 1st organ transplant public hospital coming up at NIMHANS