‘TN retrieves 7,200 organs from nearly 2,000 donors in 16 years’

Chennai: The state has retrieved 7,200 organs from 1,988 donors over the past 16 years, with more than 200 donations in 2024, said Health Minister Ma Subramanian at a meeting organised to honour donor families and transplant teams from govt and private hospitals.
"Tamil Nadu has consistently won the best state award in organ transplants for over five years," he said.The decision to accord state honours to organ donors has significantly raised awareness. Since Sept 2023, more than 1,400 organs have been retrieved from 272 brain-dead individuals.
Additionally, 14,300 people have registered online for organ donation. "States such as Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are now following Tamil Nadu's lead in honouring donors," he said. The state observes Septem 23 as organ transplant day, in memory of organ donor Hitendran, who donated his organs in 2008.
Tamil Nadu offers free transplants for various organs, including heart, lung, liver, and kidneys, under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS).
The coverage includes 22 lakh for liver transplants, 18 lakh for heart, and 4 lakh for kidney transplants.
Despite these efforts, the number of people awaiting organs is growing. Transtan data shows over 7,000 people are on the kidney waitlist, 416 for liver, 83 for heart, 54 for lungs, and 24 for heart-lung and pancreas transplants. Another 7,797 patients are waiting for various other organ transplants.
Organs will be allocated through the app ‘Vidiyal,' Minister Subramanian said. The state also released an organ transplant awareness manual and CD during the event.