Indian Organ Donation Day ,Background & History

The 14th Indian Organ Donation Day is being observed across the country on 3 August 2024. The Indian Organ Donation Day is observed to increase awareness about organ donation amongst the people. It also commemorates the contributions made to society by deceased donors and their families.

The Indian Organ Donation Day also aims to clear myths and misconceptions regarding organ donation and motivate and encourage people to donate their organs and tissues after death.

Background to the Indian Donation Day 

• The Indian Organ Donation Day has been observed since 2010 in the country. Earlier, the Indian Organ Donation Day used to be observed every year on 27 November.
• In 2022, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation decided to observe the Indian  Organ Donation Day on 3 August every year.
• Thus, from 2023 onwards, the Indian Organ Donation Day is observed on 3rd August.
• This day has been chosen because on 3 August 1994 the first successful deceased donor heart transplant was conducted in India. A brain stem dead person's heart was donated by a family member, which saved the life of another person.
• Thus, the day encourages people to pledge to donate their organs after death.

Organ Donation Month in India 

The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has declared July as the month of organ donation in the country. 

July month has been chosen because, on 8th July 1994, the Transplantation of Human Organs Act 1994 was enacted in India. 

This act regulates the removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs for therapeutic purposes and prevents commercial dealings in human organs and tissues.

World Organ Donation Day 

Many countries have their own Organ Donation Day. In general, World Organ Donation Day is observed on 13 August in many parts of the world to raise awareness of Organ Donation. 

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare-Jagat Prakash Nadda