Action plan to expand organ transplant services in govt. teaching hospitals in Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh government will strengthen government teaching hospitals to expand organ transplant services and make advanced treatment more accessible to the economically weaker sections, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has said.

Addressing the State-level National Organ Donation Day awareness programme organised by Jeevandan at the Andhra University Convention Centre in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, Mr. Satya Kumar said a phased action plan was being prepared to develop 12 government teaching hospitals into full-fledged organ transplant centres. He said the initiative was aimed at reducing dependence on private hospitals and ensuring that patients awaiting organ transplants could receive treatment through the public healthcare system.

Mr. Satya Kumar said 5,935 patients in the State were currently waiting for various organ transplants. He urged families to discuss organ donation and communicate their wishes in advance, noting that the organs of a single deceased donor could save up to eight lives.