Thousands of patients in Andhra Pradesh are currently waiting for organ transplants, with families of brain-dead donors emerging as a major source of hope. According to the latest Jeevandan statistics as of July 1, 2026, a total of 5,839 patients are on the transplant waiting list, most of whom require kidneys and livers.

Ahead of National Organ Donation Day on August 3 (Monday), Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav urged families to discuss organ donation and make informed decisions. A State-level awareness programme organised by Jeevandan will be held in Visakhapatnam on Sunday (August 2), with the Minister taking part in it.

The State has reportedly witnessed steady growth in organ donation from brain-dead donors. The number of donors increased from 41 in 2023 to 66 in 2024, reaching a record 93 donors in 2025. This resulted in 301 organ transplant surgeries last year, the highest in Jeevandan’s history. By July 24, 2026, 56 donors had already been registered. Andhra Pradesh now ranks sixth in the country for organ donation from brain-dead donors.

Transplant services have expanded significantly, growing from three hospitals to nine and spreading beyond the northern coastal districts to Vijayawada, Guntur, Prakasam, Tirupati, Nellore, Kurnool and Anantapur.

Kidneys remain the most sought-after organs, with 3,715 patients waiting, followed by 2,009 for liver transplants, 96 for heart transplants, 15 for lungs, and four for pancreas transplants. Blood group-wise, the largest number of patients awaiting organs belong to the O group (2,600), followed by B (1,721), A (1,179) and AB (339).

The Minister emphasised that a single organ donation decision can save up to eight lives. He clarified that brain death is irreversible and distinct from coma, from which recovery is possible. The government currently provides ₹10,000 as funeral assistance to donor families and is exploring additional ways to honour their contribution.

Chief Transplantation Officer Dr. Manmadha Rao stated that Jeevandan follows a fully transparent digital allocation system based on registration date, disease severity and tissue compatibility, ensuring no scope for influence or intermediaries.

Published - August 01, 2026 08:22 pm IST