Karnataka Health Minister Hon’ble Shri U.T. Khader Graces the Event, Emphasizing Deceased Donation to Save Lives
BENGALURU, SEPTEMBER 02, 2026 — In a major effort to address India’s expanding waitlist for life-saving organ transplants, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital organized a high-profile Organ Donation Awareness Drive today in Bengaluru. Centered around the theme “The Gift of Life,” the initiative brought together medical professionals, organ donor families, transplant recipients, patients, and community members to foster a stronger culture of organ donation across the region.
The event was graced by Hon’ble Shri U.T. Khader, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, alongside key leaders from the hospital and university.
Addressing the National Organ Shortage
The awareness drive was launched in direct response to the stark disparity between the demand for organ transplants and the available supply in India. National data reveals that the deceased donor rate in India remains critically low—under 1 donor per million population—in stark contrast to countries like Spain, which leads globally with over 48 donors per million.
Although India achieved a record 20,138 transplants in 2025, approximately 82% of these procedures depended on living donors. As of March 2026, more than 89,000 patients remain on active waiting lists nationwide. Medical experts at the event underscored that while living donation—particularly for kidney and liver failure—is highly successful due to advancements in surgical techniques, immunosuppression, and post-operative care, it cannot close the gap on its own. Increasing deceased organ donations, particularly through brain-dead donors, remains the most viable path to solving the national shortage.
Speaking at the event, Hon’ble Shri U.T. Khader noted that “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.”
Expressing the institution’s commitment to the cause, Dr. M. R. Jayaram, Chairman of Gokula Education Foundation (Medical) & Chancellor of Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS), stated:
“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.”
Reinforcing the clinical urgency, Dr. Nagendra Swamy S. C., Chief Executive of Ramaiah Memorial Hospital & Healthcare Services, 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.”
Commitment to Transplant Excellence
Ramaiah Memorial Hospital continues to lead in ethical transplant practices, backed by a multidisciplinary team capable of handling complex multi-organ procedures. The drive highlighted the necessity of early identification of potential donors, streamlined hospital coordination, and proactive family engagement to normalize organ pledge registration.
About Ramaiah Memorial Hospital
Established in 2004, Bengaluru’s Ramaiah Memorial Hospital (RMH) is a premier 500-bed quaternary care facility that has served over 5 million patients and performed 200,000+ surgeries. Specializing in Cardiac, Onco, Nephro-Uro, Neuro, and Gastro-Enteric Sciences, RMH offers robust organ and cell transplant programs, including renal, heart, bone marrow, and liver transplants.
RMH holds prestigious accreditations from JCI, NABH, NABL, AHA, ASA, and FACT. Affiliated with Mount Sinai International, New York, to boost research and clinical quality, RMH was recognized by Newsweek as one of the World’s Best Hospitals in 2025.
