India performs 1/3rd of world’s organ transplants, but meets fraction of country’s need
India ranks third globally in organ transplants but meets only a small fraction of its actual need, according to a study published in The Lancet Regional Health–Southeast Asia. The study estimates that India required nearly 390,000 organ transplants in 2021, with projections rising to 463,000 by 2040, yet only 7.2% of needed kidney transplants were performed, alongside even lower rates for liver (1.5%), lung (1.2%), and heart (0.2%) transplants. Experts emphasize the urgent need for improved transplant services and data-driven healthcare policies to address this gap.