Karnataka Organ Donation Rises, But Kidney Transplant Patients Still Wait Years

Karnataka has made notable progress in organ donation over the past decade, but the rise in donors has not fully closed the gap between demand and availability. Kidney transplant patients continue to face particularly long waiting periods, with many spending years on the waiting list.

According to figures cited in a recent report, the number of organ donors in Karnataka increased from 60 in 2015 to 198 in 2025. The state was also ranked third in the country for organ donation last year. As of July 2026, Karnataka had recorded 121 organ donations.

The demand for kidneys remains especially high. The available figures show that around 5,153 patients are currently waiting for kidney transplants, despite 2,145 kidney transplant surgeries having been carried out in the state so far.

Waiting times also vary significantly depending on the organ. Kidney patients may have to wait around two and a half to three years, while liver transplant candidates may wait between one and one and a half years. For heart transplants, the waiting period can be around three to four months.

One of the biggest concerns is the concentration of organ donations around Bengaluru. Health experts cited in the report said nearly 85 percent of donations in Karnataka take place in Bengaluru and nearby areas. This leaves considerable scope for improving donation systems in other parts of the state.

Doctors and organ donation specialists have suggested strengthening awareness about brain death in district hospitals and medical colleges. Converting more suitable facilities into organ retrieval centres could also help identify potential donors and move organs into the transplant system faster.

Family consent remains another important hurdle. Even when a person has expressed a wish to donate organs during their lifetime, the donation process can stop if relatives are unaware of that decision or are unwilling to give consent at the time of death.

Lack of understanding about brain death can make the situation even more difficult. Some families find it hard to accept that a person can be declared brain dead while the heart continues to beat with medical support. This confusion can lead to hesitation at a critical stage.

Religious beliefs, cultural concerns and fears about what happens to the body after donation can also influence family decisions. Experts believe that clear counselling and timely communication can help families understand the process and make informed choices.

The Karnataka health authorities are therefore looking at strengthening counselling support at the district level. Trained counsellors in government hospitals could play an important role in explaining brain death, addressing family concerns and helping hospitals complete the donation process when consent is possible.

The numbers show that Karnataka has moved forward, but the long kidney waiting list highlights the distance still to be covered. Expanding awareness beyond Bengaluru and improving the network of organ retrieval centres could be key to making more donated organs available to patients who are waiting.