Ramaiah Memorial Hospital Leads Organ Donation Awareness Drive, Joined by Karnataka Health Minister
Ramaiah Memorial Hospital Organises Organ Donation Awareness Drive in Bengaluru
Ramaiah Memorial Hospital today organised an Organ Donation Awareness Drive in Bengaluru, bringing together healthcare professionals, organ donors and their families, transplant recipients, patients and members of the public to promote the life-changing potential of organ donation and strengthen awareness around the “Gift of Life” in India.
The event was attended by Shri U.T. Khader, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, along with Dr. M. R. Jayaram, Chairman, Gokula Education Foundation (Medical) and Chancellor, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS); Dr. Madan S. Gaekwad, COO; and Dr. Nagendra Swamy S. C., Chief Executive, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Services, GEF (Medical).
Addressing India’s Organ Shortage
The awareness drive comes at a time when the gap between the demand for organs and their availability remains a critical healthcare challenge in India. The country’s deceased organ donation rate remains below one donor per million population, compared with more than 48 donors per million in Spain.
Although India recorded a landmark 20,138 organ transplants in 2025, nearly 82 percent of these procedures relied on living donors. More than 89,000 patients were on transplant waiting lists as of March 2026, highlighting the significant gap between the number of patients requiring transplants and the availability of donated organs.
Through the initiative, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital encouraged individuals and families to consider pledging their organs and becoming part of the deceased organ donation movement. Increasing donations from brain-dead patients could significantly expand the pool of organs available for transplantation and give more patients on waiting lists a chance at life.
The Role of Living and Deceased Donation
Living donor transplantation remains an established and life-saving treatment option in India, particularly for patients with kidney and liver failure. In such procedures, a healthy individual — often a close family member — voluntarily donates an organ or a part of an organ to a patient in need.
Advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppression and post-transplant care have contributed to the safety and success of living donor transplantation, with patients achieving strong long-term outcomes.
However, experts emphasise that living donation alone cannot address India’s growing organ shortage. Greater participation in deceased organ donation, combined with improved public awareness, timely identification of potential donors and stronger coordination at the hospital level, remains essential to expanding access to transplantation.
Strengthening Public Awareness
Speaking at the event, Shri U.T. Khader, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, said: “Organ donation is a gift that transcends boundaries of relation and community. The Government of Karnataka remains committed to strengthening deceased donation infrastructure across the state, and initiatives like this by Ramaiah Memorial Hospital play a vital role in encouraging more citizens to come forward and pledge their organs.”
Dr. M. R. Jayaram, Chairman, Gokula Education Foundation (Medical) and Chancellor, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS), said: “Organ donation is among the most profound expressions of human compassion. Today’s gathering reflects our collective responsibility to build public awareness and trust around deceased donation. Every family that comes forward brings us closer to closing India’s organ gap and giving more patients a genuine chance at life.”
Dr. Nagendra Swamy S. C., Chief Executive, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital & Healthcare Services, GEF (Medical), added: “Organ transplantation — whether through living or deceased donation — has evolved into one of the most reliable treatment options for end-stage organ failure. With over 89,000 patients awaiting transplants in India, the need far exceeds availability. Through today’s drive, we hope to have inspired more citizens to come forward, pledge their organs and help us close this critical gap.”
The event reinforced Ramaiah Memorial Hospital’s commitment to promoting ethical transplant practices, strengthening donor awareness and supporting the development of deceased organ donation in Karnataka.
Ramaiah Memorial Hospital’s transplant programme spans multiple organ systems and is supported by a multidisciplinary team of specialists committed to advancing safe, high-quality transplant care and improving outcomes for patients across the region.
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