Ramaiah Memorial Hospital (RMH) organised an organ donation awareness drive in Bengaluru to encourage greater public participation in deceased organ donation. The programme brought together healthcare professionals, donor families, transplant recipients, patients and members of the public under the message “The Gift of Life.”
Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri U.T. Khader attended the event.
India continues to face a major shortage of donated organs. While the country recorded 20,138 transplants in 2025, nearly 82% involved living donors. More than 89,000 patients were awaiting transplants as of March 2026, while India’s deceased organ donation rate remains below one donor per million population.
The hospital highlighted the need to increase deceased donation, particularly following brain death, while improving public awareness, donor identification and hospital coordination.
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) & 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, 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.”
Established in 2004, RMH is a 500-bed multi-specialty quaternary care hospital in Bengaluru, accredited by JCI, NABH and NABL. The hospital has performed more than two lakh surgeries and treated over five million patients. Its transplant programme includes nearly 600 renal transplants, more than 50 heart transplants and over 210 bone marrow transplants, with liver transplant services launched in 2025.
With transplant demand continuing to outpace organ availability, greater awareness and public participation in deceased donation remain essential. RMH’s initiative seeks to encourage more families to consider organ donation and help give patients on transplant waiting lists a second chance at life.
(Photo courtesy: x.com/NewsVoir)