Bhubaneswar: Odisha recently received a national award in the category of emerging states in organ donation and transplantation.
Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda congratulated the people of Odisha and the state Government for exemplary performance in the field of organ donation and transplantation. “Odisha’s commitment and contribution is commendable and has helped in giving new life to the patients suffering from end-stage organ failure diseases,” the award mentioned.
Additional Director Medical Education and Training Umakanta Satapathy and in-charge, State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO), Bubhuti Bhusan Nayak received the award on behalf of Odisha during a ceremony on the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in the national capital on August 3.
India saw over 18,900 transplants performed in 2024, the highest in a single year, compared to fewer than 5,000 in 2013.
Nadda noted that India ranks third globally in organ transplants, behind only the United States and China, and leads the world in hand transplants, showcasing the country’s cutting-edge surgical capabilities. He credited the Aadhaar-based NOTTO online pledge website, launched in 2023, for driving public participation, with over 3.30 lakh citizens pledging to donate organs, marking a historic milestone.
