Medicines for organ transplant patients in Kerala will now be made available through the Karunya Sparsham zero-profit scheme, Health Minister Veena George announced. The state recorded a 64% increase in deceased organ donation between 2024 and 2025 following judicial clarity and increased public awareness.
Kochi: Veena George, Kerala’s Minister for Health, has announced that medicines required by organ transplant recipients will be made available through the state’s Karunya Sparsham zero-profit scheme.
She was inaugurating the Ripples of Life programme, organised to create awareness about deceased organ donation and to promote donor registration, at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium. The event was jointly organised by Rotary Cochin Downtown, NSS units of the Ernakulam Regional Centre of MG University, Liver Foundation of Kerala, and IMA Kochi.
Minister Veena George noted that while Kerala continues to perform strongly in health indicators, lifestyle diseases are increasingly affecting quality of life. Compared to figures from 15 years ago, the number of patients requiring organ transplant surgeries has risen significantly. She also pointed out that legal disputes in the past had adversely impacted the deceased organ donation process, leading to hesitation among doctors in certifying brain death. However, following fair and clear judicial interventions, the state has witnessed a 64% increase in organ donation when comparing 2024 and 2025, along with a rise in the number of families consenting to deceased organ donation.
The programme also honoured families of deceased donors and organ recipients. Cash awards and certificates were distributed to winners of short film and skit competitions conducted to promote organ donation awareness. Several dignitaries, medical professionals, and representatives from social organisations attended the event.
