2 lakh kidney, 1 lakh cornea transplants needed annually

An estimated two lakh kidneys and one lakh corneas are needed for transplants in the country every year, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
"As per estimated, the annual need of transplants in cases of organ failure for common organs and tissues is two lakh for kidney, 30,000 for liver, 50,000 for heart and One lakh for cornea," Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel said in a written reply.
She said that promotion of organ donation is "high" on priority of the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted its importance in his 'Mann ki Baat' programme in October and November last year.

She said the government is also implementing National Organ Transplant Programme with main focus on improving the donation of organs from deceased.
She said the number of persons who have pledged for organ donation and registered with National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation are 16,192 as on August 5 this year.
She said an inter ministerial committee has been constituted to coordinate all activities relating to promotion of organ donation in the country and its meeting was organised in February this year.