Thu Jan 09 17:25:48 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Achieves Record High in Deceased Organ Donations

**Chennai, January 9, 2025** – Tamil Nadu concluded 2024 with a record-breaking year for its deceased donor organ transplantation program. A total of 268 donors (218 men and 50 women) contributed 1,500 organs and tissues, surpassing all previous years. This represents a significant increase from 156 donors in 2022 and 178 in 2023, marking a remarkable recovery following the slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Government hospitals played a crucial role, accounting for 146 (54.48%) of the total donors. Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital led the way with 28 donors, followed by Government Thanjavur Medical College Hospital (14 donors) and Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital and Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai (13 donors each). Private hospitals contributed the remaining 122 donors (45.52%).

The surge in donations is attributed to several factors, including increased awareness campaigns, state honors for deceased donors, and honor walks organized by various institutions. The expansion of Non-Transplant Organ Retrieval Centres (NTORCs) to 35 across the state, coupled with improved training and protocols for medical professionals, also contributed to the success.

N. Gopalakrishnan, member secretary of the Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (TRANSTAN), highlighted the collective efforts of transplant coordinators and grief counselors, emphasizing their crucial role in facilitating the donation process. He also noted that plans are underway to expand liver transplant services to more government hospitals and involve medical college students in organ donation awareness initiatives.

While celebrating this achievement, Dr. Gopalakrishnan acknowledged that there is still significant room for improvement, particularly in expanding kidney and liver transplant capabilities within the state’s government medical facilities.

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