The organ donation rate refers to the number of deceased (cadaver) organ donors per million population in a given region or country within a specific year. Despite a large population, India has a low organ donation rate of less than 1 per million, compared to over 30 per million in countries like Spain. ABO-incompatible transplantation is a type of organ transplant in which the blood group of the donor and the recipient do not match according to the standard ABO blood type system. Normally, organ transplants (especially kidneys) are done between people with compatible blood groups to prevent the recipient’s immune system from attacking the donor organ. In ABO-incompatible cases, this natural immune barrier is overcome through advanced medical protocols.
The experts were addressing a press meet organised by the hospital in commemoration of World Organ Donation Day, which falls on August 13 annually. The experts included: Dr. Ramesh Ardhanari, Medical Director, Senior Consultant, Department of Medical & Surgical Gastroenterology; Dr. B. Kannan, Medical Administrator; Dr. K. Sampath Kumar, HOD & Senior Consultant, Department of Nephrology; Dr. R. Ravichandran, Senior Consultant, Department of Urology; Dr. N. Mohan, HOD & Senior Consultant, and Dr. Srinivasan Ramachandran, Senior Consultant, Department of Medical & Surgical Gastroenterology.
In his address, Dr. K. Sampath Kumar, Kumar, HOD & Senior Consultant, Department of Nephrologysaid, “Organ donation is a life-saving act. Yet, despite our large population, India’s organ donation rate is less than one per million. Lack of public understanding about brain death, cultural beliefs, religious misconceptions, and emotional hesitation often stand in the way of decision-making at those critical moments. We must integrate education on organ donation into schools and community health programs, ensure hospitals follow transparent protocols, and provide timely counselling to grieving families. Only with a societal shift in perception, backed by strong policies and continuous public education, can we truly bridge the gap between the need and the availability of organs.”
Talking about medical advances, he said, “It is equally important for hospitals to adopt advanced organ transplant procedures that can help make up for the shortage. Through consistent efforts, our team has built strong expertise in performing kidney transplants. We also have one of the most advanced pediatric kidney transplant units in the region.”
In his address, Dr. Srinivasan Ramachandran, Senior Consultant, Department of Medical & Surgical Gastroenterology said, “The encouraging news is that Tamil Nadu has long been a pioneer in cadaver organ transplantation, having launched India’s first organised deceased donation programme. Today, it leads the nation in deceased organ donations. In 2024 alone, the state recorded 268 deceased organ donors, the highest in India, marking a historic milestone in the country’s transplant movement. This success is the result of coordinated efforts by TRANSTAN, medical institutions, and families who made the decision to give life through donation. But the situation in the rest of the country is less encouraging. While the Central Government, through NOTTO, and various NGOs are running awareness campaigns, these efforts must penetrate deeper into rural and semi-urban areas, where misconceptions about organ donation still prevail.”