Time to scale up organ transplants via policy, infra, & partnerships

RGAN transplants is a field where modern medicine meets the deepest values of our society - compassion, courage, and collective responsibility.

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Medical breakthroughs and public awareness campaigns have led to annual organ donations in our country increasing from fewer than 5,000 in 2013 to over 15,000 by 2022. However, even with all our progress, the gap between potential and reality remains wide. India's organ donation rate is among the lowest in the world at just 0.65 per million population. Around half a million Indians lose their lives every year while waiting for an organ transplant.

The question before us is not whether we have the medical expertise. We do! Indian surgeons and institutions have achieved remarkable outcomes. The challenge is how we scale ethically, equitably, and efficiently so that no life is lost for want of a transplant. And that challenge must be met not with tactical fixes, but with strategic vision, robust institutions, and the will to act.

This will entail strengthening our donor networks, making our regulatory framework more robust, and promoting collaborative efforts.