Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, July 31: A total of 5,387 people across Karnataka are currently awaiting organ transplants, with 4,582 in need of kidneys, 583 for liver, 133 for heart, 31 for lungs, 13 for both heart and lungs, 23 for liver and kidney, 21 for kidney and pancreas, and one individual awaiting both heart and kidney.
Amid these concerning numbers, there is a positive trend of increasing awareness about organ donation. Statistics indicate a notable rise in organ donors in 2025 compared to the previous years.
Between 2017 and June 30, 2025, a total of 979 individuals donated their organs in the state. These donations included 1,481 kidneys, 812 livers, 251 hearts, 25 combined kidney-pancreas, 11 small intestines, 129 lungs, 44 combined liver-kidney, 396 heart valves, 1,499 corneas, 106 skin donations, and 2 hand donations. In 2025 alone, 121 people have donated organs so far.
There are 82 hospitals in Karnataka authorized for organ donation registrations. This includes 51 in Bengaluru region, 12 in Mangaluru region (including Shivamogga, Davangere, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Chikkamagaluru), 7 in Hubballi-Dharwad, 4 in Kalaburagi, and 8 in Mysuru.
Individuals can pledge organ donation or access more information by visiting www.jeevasarthakathe.karnataka.gov.in. Only those registered with Jeevasarthakathe are eligible to receive organs. A single organ donor can save up to eight lives. However, even after pledging, family consent is mandatory for organ donation.
In the Mangaluru region alone, 141 people have donated organs since 2019, and 459 patients are currently on the waiting list — 446 of them in need of kidney transplants. Officials confirmed that organ transplant procedures will soon be facilitated at Wenlock Hospital as well.
As of July 30, 2025, a total of 43,221 individuals have pledged organ donation in Karnataka, placing the state third in the country. Dharwad district leads the state with 11,186 pledges, followed by Dakshina Kannada with 1,472, placing it fourth.
The 15th state-level Indian organ donation day will be observed on August 1 at 11.30 am at the Yenepoya Medical College Hospital auditorium. Health and family welfare minister and district in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao will inaugurate the event, which will be presided over by Speaker U T Khader. Minister for medical education and skill development Dr Sharanprakash Patil, MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, Rajya Sabha member Dr D Veerendra Heggade, and several MLAs are expected to attend the programme.
The event aims to raise public awareness about the importance of organ donation.