Bengaluru leads in organ donations, but demand still outstrips supply

Bengaluru remains Karnataka’s leader in organ donation pledges and transplants, yet the demand for life-saving organs continues to far exceed availability. Latest figures show that 4,364 patients in Bengaluru are currently on the waiting list for transplants, the highest in the state.

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To boost organ donation, the Karnataka government has introduced initiatives to honour donors’ families. Appreciation certificates signed by the Chief Minister and Health Minister are awarded, and families are publicly felicitated on Republic Day, Independence Day, and Organ Donation Day.

The city has also recorded the highest number of organ donation pledges. Bengaluru Urban saw 2,282 registrations on the Jeevasarthakathe platform and 5,368 on the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) portal, while Bengaluru Rural recorded 536 and 713 pledges, respectively. Statewide, 75,017 individuals have pledged their organs, yet 5,948 patients remain on the waiting list, highlighting the ongoing gap between pledges and actual donations.

To encourage participation, NOTTO has proposed a financial assistance scheme offering ₹10,000 for the funeral expenses of deceased organ donors.

Bengaluru also leads in organ transplants, with a significant portion of Karnataka’s 5,511 procedures performed in the city, thanks to its advanced medical infrastructure. However, with thousands still in need, the government continues to push awareness campaigns, urging more residents to pledge their organs and help save lives.