Gender disparity in organ transplantation remains a significant concern in India, with women making up a much larger share of living organ donors while men account for most transplant recipients.
Data from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) shows that between 2019 and 2023, women represented 63.8% of living organ donors, while 69.8% of transplant recipients were men.
The figures highlight an imbalance that extends across different stages of transplantation, including donation, recipient listing, waiting periods and access to transplant services.
Living organ donation involves a person donating an organ or part of an organ to another individual, often within a family. In India, women constituted the majority of living donors during the period covered by the NOTTO data.
At the same time, men received the majority of transplants. The difference raises questions about the social, economic and healthcare factors that influence who becomes a donor and who receives an organ.
Gender inequality can affect access to healthcare, decisions around donation and the ability to seek or afford treatment. Social and family responsibilities may also influence how women and men participate in the transplantation process.
Addressing the disparity requires better understanding of gender-specific barriers across the transplant pathway. Transparent data collection and greater awareness could help identify where inequalities arise and how access can be improved.
The figures underline the need to examine organ transplantation through a gender lens, rather than viewing donation and transplantation only as medical issues.