NEW DELHI: The Central Government has directed all states and Union Territories (UTs) to launch awareness campaigns on organ and tissue donation through workshops, seminars, exhibitions, and social outreach activities.
In a letter addressed to all states and UTs, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava noted that India has achieved significant progress in organ donation and transplantation.
"As per records, 3,475 deceased-donor transplants were performed during 2025. Further, since the launch of the campaign, 1.87 lakh organ donation pledges have been registered on the online pledge portal of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), indicating a substantial increase in public awareness and willingness to contribute to the cause of organ donation," Srivastava stated in her letter.
She said in continuation of these efforts, officials and the public may be sensitized on organ donation through workshops, awareness talks, exhibitions, social outreach activities, and other suitable initiatives.
In a separate letter addressed to the secretaries of all central ministries, Srivastava requested that personnel across central ministries, departments, autonomous bodies, public sector undertakings, and educational and healthcare institutions be educated on the importance of organ donation.
She also urged these departments to encourage the public to sign up for organ and tissue donation pledges.
States have been requested to direct government offices to disseminate Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials.
This includes leveraging official websites, digital displays, social media channels, and printed display boards. The standard IEC materials comprising posters, videos, pamphlets, and awareness booklets are publicly available for download on the official NOTTO website. (https://notto.mohfiv.gov.in/iecdownload.htm)
"I seek your active support and cooperation in advancing this important national cause, and in fostering greater public awareness and participation in voluntary organ donation to save those in need," Srivastava added.
The Central Government launched a nationwide organ donation awareness campaign last year titled "Angdaan-Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reiterated the critical importance of organ donation during the 131st episode of his radio program, 'Mann Ki Baat,' highlighting its transformative impact on recipients and their families.
Since the initial launch of the broader organ donation drive, India has recorded more than 5 lakhs donation pledges.
Health officials stated that this milestone reflects a growing sense of compassion, awareness, and collective commitment among citizens toward the life-saving cause of organ and tissue donation.
