The organs of another donor being transported from Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai. | Photo Credit: R. ASHOK
Even when the innovative measures taken by the Tamil Nadu government to encourage organ donations have yielded positive results, the ever-growing demand for the organs, especially kidney and lungs, shows an existing gap in the efforts of the government.
The State has witnessed a significant jump in cadaver organ donations as the number rose from 178 in 2023 to 268 in 2024, thanks to the government’s important announcement of extending State honours to the mortal remains of the organ donors.
As per the G.O, Collectors would honour the mortal remains of the deceased donors and in case when the Collector was unable to attend the ceremony, senior revenue officials like District Revenue Officer (DRO), Additional Collector, Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), tahsildar, would be paying honours.
The practice, believed to encourage families of brain-dead victims to come forward for the noble cause of saving about five lives through a single transplant, has yielded more results than was expected.
