New Delhi: In the last 8 years, a total of 4,938 organs have been transplanted in Tamil Nadu, according to Transplant Authourity of Tamil Nadu (TRANSTAN). The southern state is the first Indian state to make certification of brain death mandatory, successfully create a green corridor to transport an organ, and make conversations about organ donation mainstream.

So how did such a major turnaround occur in just 8 years?

In 2007, Tamil Nadu was rocked by a massive kidney scam. In its immediate aftermath, the state government decided it had to step in and stop people from trading organs for money, by promoting deceased organ donation.It conducted workshops to educate and sensitise medical professionals from across the state on deceased donation, declaring brain death, and the transplant formalities involved among other things. The participants also recommended ideas that were considered by the government to streamline the procedure of fair allocation of organs….Readmore