Tamil Nadu’s deceased donor count reaches 240

Tamil Nadu, which accounted for nearly 24 % of the country’s deceased donors last year, has recorded 240 deceased donors so far this year, close to last year’s total of 268.

Official data showed a total of 1,128 deceased donors were recorded in the country in 2024, of which 80% came from five States – Tamil Nadu (268), Telangana (188), Maharashtra (172), Karnataka (162) and Gujarat (119).

N. Gopalakrishnan, Member Secretary, Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (TRANSTAN) said that accounting for 23.7 % of the country’s total deceased donors was significant for the State. “Tamil Nadu has set a role model for the organ transplant programme that is nuanced and intricate. There are not only medical and technical challenges but also emotional, psychological, ethical and legal challenges. Multiple sectors have collaborated to build a transparent programme and earn public trust. We have a robust and transparent organ allocation policy,” he said.

In 2024, TN recorded its all-time high of 268 deceased donors. A total of 1,446 major and minor organs including tissues were transplanted, according to data on TRANSTAN website. He said that the State has the potential for performing better. “This year, we have recorded 240 deceased donors so far. The State government and TRANSTAN are aiming to strengthen the system in all possible ways,” he said.

Dr. Gopalakrishnan said that medical and paramedical personnel are consistently encouraged and their performance is periodically reviewed. TRANSTAN plans to hold regular re-orientation programmes and update sessions for doctors, which it had earlier conducted in collaboration with Madras Medical College.

Since the State government announced State honours for deceased donors in September 2023, 573 honours have been accorded, he added. Now, “Wall of honour” to pay tribute to deceased donors is being set up in all government medical college hospitals. To involve medical students in the programme, students’ charter of deceased organ donation programme were started, and so far established in 11 medical colleges, he added.