Teaching hospitals to be strengthened for organ transplant surgeries Special action plan for phased measures Aimed to provide relief to poor families.. A review of the sacrifices of donor families and their recognition

Visakhapatnam Indian News Times:Minister Shri Satyakumar Yadav's statement in Visakhapatnam

Organ donor families are the real winners: Badminton player PV Sindhu

State Health Minister Shri Satyakumar Yadav revealed that a special program is being prepared to ensure that organ transplants are carried out more in teaching hospitals keeping the poor in mind. He revealed that 12 government hospitals in the state will be developed into full-fledged organ transplant centers in a phased manner. The minister spoke at a state-level awareness program organized by Jeevan Daan at the AU Convention Center in Visakhapatnam on Sunday on the occasion of National Organ Donation Day. He said that if the deceased donates their organs, they can give a new life to eight people.  He suggested that every family should have a discussion on organ donation and inform their family members in advance. As of Sunday, 5,935 people were waiting for various organs in the state. The aim of this policy is to provide a permanent solution to patients who have been waiting for months and years for the necessary organs through the government medical system as much as possible.

Not limited to private medicine....

'Out of 5 organ transplant surgeries performed in the state in 2025, only 31 were performed in government hospitals,' the minister said. He said that it has been decided to increase the organ transplant capacity in the government sector in a phased manner so that the poor do not stay away from treatment due to high cost. He said that they are considering setting up organ procurement centers in 12 teaching hospitals soon. 'In the first phase, kidney transplant services will be expanded in teaching hospitals of Visakhapatnam, Palasa, Kurnool, Vijayawada, Guntur, Tirupati and Kakinada.  We are examining the feasibility of creating an action plan to start liver transplant services by 2028 and heart transplant services in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Kurnool by 2030. When the coalition government was formed, there were only three organ transplant centers in the state, but now their number has increased to nine. Now, we are working towards making full-fledged services available in 12 government teaching hospitals through a special policy," he explained.

More assurance for donor families

He said that the families of those who donated organs are currently being provided with Rs. 10,000 assistance for funerals. He said that he has brought this to the attention of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu regarding increasing this to Rs. 1 lakh. At the same time, he said that the government has received requests for providing employment under contract or neighboring services to eligible donor family members and pension based on their financial situation.

Increasing organ donation--
Still not enough

The Minister stated that organ donation is gradually increasing in the state. He revealed that the number of donors was 26 in 2022, 41 in 2023, 66 in 2024, and 93 in 2025; furthermore, 180 organs have been collected from 57 donors so far in 2026. However, he noted that this figure remains very low compared to the actual demand.
The Minister appreciated the initiative taken by prominent figures, such as ace athlete PV Sindhu, to raise public awareness about organ donation. He urged film personalities, sports stars, and social media influencers to join this movement.

Our achievements pale in comparison to the courage of those families...

Ace Badminton Player PV Sindhu*Renowned badminton player PV Sindhu stated that the families of donors—who bring light into others' lives through organ donation—are the true winners. She remarked that while she has participated in numerous international competitions and won medals, the act of consenting to organ donation amidst the grief of losing a family member is far greater than any sporting achievement. She said that her own victories in sports seem insignificant when compared to the courage shown by such families. She also mentioned feeling deeply emotional while listening to the experiences shared by the family members of 'Jeevandan' organ donors.

"I have played many tough matches and fought for victory until the very last moment. Yet, those were merely sports."  "A real battle for life unfolds every day in hospitals and emergency care units. Many people in our state are waiting on the Jeevandan list for life-saving organs; they are racing against time, living in the hope that a miracle will happen," said Sindhu.
PV Sindhu remarked that a heartbeat continuing within another person is a far greater legacy than fame, prestige, or personal victories.
She noted that a single organ donor could save up to eight lives. She emphasized that organ donation is not merely about death, but the ultimate tribute to life.
Sindhu commended the Andhra Pradesh government for effectively managing the processes of organ procurement, allocation, and transplantation, while also raising public awareness through the Jeevandan program.

She urged the youth and everyone else in the state to register on the Jeevandan portal and pledge to donate their organs. "The opportunity to give life to another person, even after we are gone, lies in our hands. Let us gift the gift of life," she said. Chief Supervisor Dr. Manmadha Rao stated that measures would be taken to further raise public awareness about organ donation on behalf of Jeevandan. Organ transplant grief counselor Mangadevi was among the others who spoke at the event.  A hush fell over the AU Convention Center as family members of organ donors delivered emotional speeches. Their words—expressing how the knowledge that their loved ones' organs were saving others' lives offered some solace amidst their grief—deeply touched the hearts of the audience. Minister Sri Satya Kumar commended the families for their generosity and courage, and honored them fittingly.

                      K.V.SHARMA EDITOR