'One Donor Can Save Eight Lives': Centre Urges Ministries To Promote Organ Donation

Last Updated:July 29, 2025, 11:12 IST

August 3 marks Indian Organ Donation Day, where the government is set to launch a yearlong “Angdaan – Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan”

The Health Ministry has written to all central government ministries and departments, urging them to actively participate in promoting organ and tissue donation. (AP Photo)

In a strong push to address India’s widening gap between organ demand and availability, the Health Ministry has written to all central government ministries and departments, urging them to actively participate in promoting organ and tissue donation. A letter written by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said, “Strengthening of the healthcare systems to facilitate organ donation and transplantation is one of the top priorities of the government."

The move comes ahead of Indian Organ Donation Day (IODD) on August 3, and coincides with the launch of a yearlong public awareness campaign titled “Angdaan – Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan". The campaign will be led by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Srivastava has called for the ministries to lead the change and urged ministries to organise pledge drives among citizens and staff. “…central government ministries and departments are requested that a drive may be carried out to encourage citizens to register their pledge for organ and tissue donation… and join the pious movement of saving others’ lives through organ donation."

She added, “I seek your cooperation in this National endeavour to further the noble cause of organ donation for the sake of humanity."

One Donor, Eight Lives

The letter reiterates the transformative power of organ donation. “One deceased donor after brain stem death can donate 2 kidneys, 2 lungs, liver, heart, intestine and pancreas, thus potentially saving up to 8 lives," it stated. Tissues such as corneas, skin, bones, and heart valves can also be donated—often even after natural or cardiac death, typically within six hours.

The momentum around organ donation has been growing, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted its importance during his Mann Ki Baat programme. “Hon’ble Prime Minister has highlighted the importance of organ donation in his Mann Ki Baat programme, which has given impetus to organ donation in the country," she wrote.

Now, through “Angdaan – Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan," the government hopes to turn loss into legacy—encouraging more Indians to give the gift of life, even in death.

Why This Matters: India’s Organ Gap

According to NOTTO’s latest annual data, India conducted 18,378 organ transplants in 2023, but the deceased donor rate remains just 0.52 per million population (PMP)—far below global standards.

Sample this: The country faces an annual requirement of over 175,000 kidney transplants, 50,000 liver transplants, and 2,000 heart transplants, but less than 10 per cent of this demand is currently met through deceased donations.

According to the Health Ministry’s data, the total number of donors, including deceased donors, saw an increase from 6,916 in 2014 to approximately 16,000 by 2022. In 2022, out of 16,000 donations, nearly 80% were from living donors, which is not ideal. The majority of transplants should come from deceased donors. In 2023, only 1,056 deceased donors were recorded nationwide, though this was the first time India crossed the 1,000 mark.

By contrast, countries like Spain and the United States record 30–40 deceased donors per million population, highlighting the urgent need to expand awareness, infrastructure, and participation in India.

Himani Chandna

Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass...Read More

Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass...

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