Raj wins nat’l award for organ donation awareness, despite low transplant outcomes | Jaipur News
Jaipur: Rajasthan has received national recognition for its organ donation awareness efforts, winning the ‘Award for Excellence in Organ Donation Awareness’ at the 16th Indian Organ Donation Day programme organised by National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) under Union ministry of health and family welfare Monday.The recognition, however, contrasts sharply with Rajasthan’s limited progress in organ transplant outcomes. Despite winning two national awards in 2025 for organ donation and public awareness, the state recorded only 12 cadaver organ donations between 2025 and March 2026, of which only two were reported in 2026.The figures underline the gap between awareness initiatives and transplant outcomes. While public awareness campaigns have received national recognition, transplant capacity has not expanded significantly. A shortage of infrastructure remains a key challenge.In 2025, Centre sought detailed information from Rajasthan govt on transplant infrastructure and practices, including the number of govt and private hospitals equipped to perform multi-organ transplants involving the liver, kidney, heart, lungs and pancreas.Health and medical education minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar described the award as a matter of pride for the state, saying it reflected sustained efforts to promote organ donation awareness, strengthen public outreach and make health services more people-centric.Principal secretary (health and medical education) Gayatri Rathore said the recognition reflected Rajasthan’s institutional coordination and public participation in organ donation. She said the state aims to further expand awareness and build a transparent and robust transplant system to provide life-saving support to more patients.The event was attended by Union minister of state for health and family welfare Anupriya Patel, Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, Director General of Health Services Dr Loveneesh G Krishna, NOTTO director, representatives from states and Union Territories, donor families, transplant recipients, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders.
