AP to develop 12 govt hospitals into organ transplant centres

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav announced that the state government is preparing a special programme to significantly expand organ transplant services in government teaching hospitals.

Addressing a state-level awareness programme organised by Jeevan Daan in Visakhapatnam on Sunday to mark National Organ Donation Day, the minister stated that the move was taken to make advanced treatment more accessible to weaker sections.

The minister said 12 government teaching hospitals across the state will be upgraded into full-fledged organ transplant centres in a phased manner. He said the initiative is aimed at reducing the financial burden on patients who are unable to afford expensive transplant procedures in private hospitals.

The minister revealed that as of Sunday, 5,935 patients in Andhra Pradesh were awaiting various organ transplants. He said the government intends to strengthen transplant facilities within the public healthcare system to provide timely treatment and reduce long waiting periods for patients requiring life-saving organs.

As part of the first phase, kidney transplant services will be expanded in government teaching hospitals at Visakhapatnam, Palasa, Kurnool, Vijayawada, Guntur, Tirupati and Kakinada. The government is also planning to establish organ procurement centres in all 12 teaching hospitals to improve the collection, allocation and transplantation of organs.

Emphasising the importance of public participation, Satya Kumar Yadav urged the families to discuss organ donation and communicate their wishes to family members in advance. He also appealed to film personalities, sportspersons and social media influencers to actively support awareness campaigns, noting that involvement of prominent personalities such as badminton champion PV Sindhu would inspire more people to come forward.

Taking part in the event, PV Sindhu described organ donor families as true heroes, saying their decision to donate organs despite the grief of losing a loved one gives others a new lease on life. She remarked that although she had won several international medals, the courage and generosity shown by donor families surpassed any sporting achievement.

She appreciated the Andhra Pradesh government’s efforts in creating awareness and efficiently managing organ procurement, allocation and transplantation through Jeevan Daan. Sindhu called upon the youth and the general public to register on the Jeevan Daan portal, pledge to donate their organs and save lives.

Jeevan Daan state coordinator Manmadha Rao said the organisation would intensify public awareness campaigns to encourage organ donation and improve understanding of its life-saving benefits across the state. MLA P Vishnu Kumar Raju, among others, attended the event.