Jaipur, Aug 3 (IANS) Rajasthan has been conferred with the ‘State Award for Excellence in Organ Donation Awareness’ for its outstanding contribution to promoting organ donation across the state.

The prestigious national honour was presented during the 16th Indian Organ Donation Day celebrations organised by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The award recognises Rajasthan’s exceptional performance in the Organ Donation Pledge Campaign, in which the state secured the top position nationwide by creating widespread public awareness and encouraging citizens to pledge for organ donation.

Welcoming the national recognition, Rajasthan Health Minister, Gajendra Singh Khimsar, said the award is a proud moment for the entire state and reflects the government’s sustained commitment to promoting organ donation.

He said the achievement has been made possible through continuous awareness campaigns, effective public outreach, and citizen-centric healthcare initiatives undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal Sharma.

“Organ donation is one of the greatest humanitarian acts. The state government is committed to ensuring that every citizen understands its importance and joins this noble mission so that more patients awaiting transplants can receive a new lease on life,” the Health Minister said.

Principal Secretary, Medical, Health and Medical Education Department, Gayatri Rathore, said the national honour reflects Rajasthan’s strong institutional framework, effective inter-departmental coordination, and growing public participation in the organ donation movement.

She said the collaborative efforts of the Medical Education Department, Medical and Health Department, State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTO), doctors, healthcare professionals, and voluntary organisations have transformed organ donation awareness into a mass public campaign.

“Our objective is to further expand awareness about organ donation across Rajasthan and strengthen a transparent and efficient organ transplantation system so that the gift of life reaches the maximum number of patients in need,” she said.

The award was presented at a national ceremony held on Monday at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel.

The Rajasthan delegation comprising Dr. Rashmi Gupta, Director, Department of Medical Education; Dr. Chitra Singh, Joint Director, State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTO), Rajasthan; Dr. Dharmesh, IEC Consultant; and Dr. Mamta, Additional Director, received the award on behalf of the state.

The recognition reinforces Rajasthan’s emergence as a national leader in organ donation awareness and highlights the state’s commitment to building a compassionate, transparent, and patient-centric healthcare system.

–IANS

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