Fri Feb 06 02:10:49 UTC 2026: ### Kerala Pioneers Organ Donation, Bolstered by Rising Awareness

The Story:
A February 6, 2026 article from The Hindu highlights the growing trend of organ donation in Kerala, India, showcasing both living and deceased donor scenarios. The piece details the case of P.P. Devananda, who, at 17, successfully petitioned the court to donate her liver to her ailing father in 2023. It further illustrates the struggles of individuals awaiting transplants, exemplified by Akshay Manoj who waited over a decade for a kidney. Increased awareness and viral cases of deceased organ donation in 2025 significantly boosted organ pledging in the state, with deceased donor numbers more than doubling compared to the previous year.

Key Points:

  • P.P. Devananda, at 17, secured a court order in 2023 to donate her liver to her father, becoming potentially the first minor in India to do so.
  • As of January 28, 2025, 3,261 people were on the organ waiting list in Kerala.
  • In 2025, 25 deceased donor donations resulted in 75 organs being donated.
  • Kidneys were the most donated organ (41), followed by liver (21), and heart (7).
  • In 2015, T.R. Manu received the country’s first double-hand transplant and now works as a transplant counselor.

Critical Analysis:
(Not Applicable – The provided context doesn’t contain pertinent information for in-depth analysis.)

Key Takeaways:

  • Organ donation rates in Kerala are increasing, largely due to awareness campaigns and impactful real-life stories.
  • Legal challenges exist for minors seeking to donate organs, requiring court intervention.
  • The gap between organ demand and availability remains substantial, highlighting the ongoing need for more donors.
  • Hospital reluctance in certifying brain stem death is identified as a critical impediment to increasing donation rates.
  • Transplant recipients report improved quality of life and a renewed appreciation for life.

Impact Analysis:
(Not Applicable – The provided context doesn’t contain pertinent information for a detailed impact analysis.)

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