Tamil Nadu sets national precedent
Tamil Nadu leads in honouring brain-dead organ donors: Tamil Nadu has emerged as a model state in organ donation by according State honours to brain-dead donors, a move that significantly strengthened its organ transplant programme.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare applauded the initiative, stating that it has transformed public perception and increased participation.
Government recognition improves programme impact
Since the announcement in September 2023, 461 State honours have been awarded to deceased donors. This Government Order is the first-of-its-kind in India.
Static GK fact: Tamil Nadu was the first Indian state to establish an organ sharing registry through TRANSTAN (Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu).
Record-breaking year for organ donations
The year 2024 marked the highest-ever donations in the state’s history. 1,500 organs and tissues were retrieved from 268 deceased donors, making it the largest contribution by a single state in one year.
Out of these, 863 were major organs while 637 were minor organs and tissues. All were successfully transplanted.
Public hospitals lead donation efforts
For the first time, public hospitals outperformed private ones, contributing 54.48% of the total donations. Donations occurred in 26 government institutions, including remote facilities like Nilgiris Medical College.
Static GK Tip: The Transplantation of Human Organs Act was enacted in 1994 to regulate the removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs.
Honour walks and personalised appreciation
The Directorate-General of Health Services (DGHS) noted the inclusion of an ‘honour walk’ inside hospitals, where staff pay tribute as the donor is taken for organ retrieval.
Other key practices include:
- A personal note from TRANSTAN to donor centres and coordinators
- Protocol development for all programme components
- Regular reviews at multiple administrative levels
NTORCs make significant contribution
Non-Transplant Organ Retrieval Centres (NTORCs) played a vital role, accounting for 43 donations, or 16% of the total.
This underlines the growing capability and reach of the state’s transplant ecosystem, even in centres not directly involved in transplantation.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Tamil Nadu leads in honouring brain-dead organ donors:
| Topic | Detail |
| Number of deceased donors in 2024 | 268 |
| Total organs and tissues retrieved | 1,500 |
| Major organs retrieved | 863 |
| Minor organs and tissues retrieved | 637 |
| Share of government hospitals | 54.48% |
| First state to provide honours to organ donors | Tamil Nadu |
| NTORC contributions | 43 donations (16%) |
| Year State honours began | September 2023 |
| Governing body for TN organ donations | TRANSTAN |
| Honour walk practice | Implemented in all donor hospitals |
