In a landmark move to streamline and encourage organ donations, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday launched ‘Delhi Aang Daan’, the capital’s first dedicated digital organ donation portal. This initiative marks a crucial step toward creating a transparent and efficient system for people willing to pledge their organs.
Speaking at the launch event, CM Gupta stressed the urgent need for such a platform. “Lakhs of people rely on organ donations but there hasn’t been a perfect system in place. This digital portal will bridge that gap and make the process easier and more transparent,” she said.
The new platform will operate under Delhi’s State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO), acting as the official registry for individuals willing to donate. It is modeled on the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) to ensure uniformity and credibility.
How ‘Delhi Aang Daan’ Works
Residents of Delhi can now register their wish to donate organs online. The portal will securely store donor data, making it easier for hospitals, families, and authorities to coordinate life-saving transplants when needed.
India’s organ donation rules remain clear:
Living Donors (18+ years): Can donate one kidney or a part of the liver.
Deceased Donors (Brain-Dead): Can donate up to eight vital organs — heart, two lungs, liver, two kidneys, pancreas, and small intestine — regardless of age.
Growing Awareness Around Organ Donation
CM Gupta highlighted the success of a similar initiative: “An eye donation platform launched on September 17 received over 1,200 registrations within days, proving Delhi’s citizens are ready to step up,” she noted.
Despite India’s population, organ donation awareness remains low. A National Library of Medicine study found 30% of Indians surveyed did not know organs could be donated after brain death. However, 2023 was a milestone year, with over 1,000 deceased organ donations recorded nationwide for the first time. Telangana led the country in organ donation rates during 2023–24.
Why This Matters
India faces a chronic shortage of organs for transplant. Experts estimate that more than five lakh people await life-saving organ transplants annually. With this digital portal, Delhi aims to reduce waiting times, ensure fair allocation, and empower citizens to make informed choices about organ donation.
CM Gupta concluded with a call to action: “Organ donation is the greatest gift one can give. Through Delhi Aang Daan, we want every citizen to have the opportunity to leave a life-saving legacy.”
