Kamal Ghorui
A baby girl in Kerala named Aalin Sherin Abraham did something very brave — even though she was very young. After she became brain-dead, her parents decided to donate her organs. Because of their decision, four other children got a chance to live or see again. That is an amazing gift.
But organ donation is not easy. Families have to make very hard choices during very sad times. People also need to trust the system — from the doctors who remove the organs to the hospitals that transplant them. Without trust, families may feel scared or unsure.
Kerala honoured Aalin with respect. In Tamil Nadu (TN), all organ donors are given state honours during their last rites. This shows that the government understands how big a sacrifice families make. When governments show respect and support, more people feel confident about donating.
Tamil Nadu has also improved its hospitals and transport system so organs can quickly reach patients who need them. The state even pays for transplant surgeries and medical care afterward through health insurance. This builds trust. In many other states, most organ transplants happen in private hospitals and cost a lot of money, which makes people worry.
Many Indians are still unsure about organ donation. Most donations happen within families, and often women donate organs while alive. Donations after death are still rare. For example, Tamil Nadu had 1,846 donors in 2022, while Uttar Pradesh had only 232 — even though both states have many road accidents each year. This shows how much difference government effort can make.
If governments don’t create strong and fair systems, illegal organ trade can grow. Poor people can be tricked or forced to sell organs. Some have even been taken to other countries for illegal surgeries. This is very dangerous and wrong.
On the bright side, Tamil Nadu is also using an AI tool that can predict how long a transplanted kidney might work — up to 14 years — with good accuracy. This helps doctors and families make better decisions.
Organ donation saves lives. Families may be willing to take that brave step — like Aalin’s parents did — when they know the system is fair, safe, and respectful. Governments must work hard to build that trust.
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