Tamil Nadu set a new record for deceased donor organ donations in January 2026 with 33 donors. More than half, 19 donors, came from government hospitals mostly located outside Chennai. "This is the highest-ever number of donations in one month,” said N. Gopalakrishnan, member secretary of the Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (TRANSTAN). He added that, by February 12, 42 donations happened in just 43 days, averaging one donation per day, with the 42nd donation ongoing at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. The top contributor was Government Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital, a Non-Transplant Organ Retrieval Centre (NTORC), which donated five organs. Gopalakrishnan praised Dharmapuri’s “core team and well-oiled system,” suggesting such centers be a model for replication nationwide. Close behind was Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, with four donors. Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Tiruchi, and KMC Chennai each had two donors. Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital Chennai and hospitals in Coimbatore, Salem, Dindigul, Tirunelveli, and Ramanathapuram had one donor each. Last year, Tamil Nadu recorded 266 brain-dead organ donors. The State government’s support helped boost donations through Government Order 331 in 2023, which ensures brain-dead donors’ mortal remains are honoured officially. “So far, 639 State government honours have been accorded,” Gopalakrishnan noted. He emphasized that a “pro-donation ecosystem” has formed, with medical college deans organizing honour walks and strong awareness spreading. "It is important to sustain the ecosystem," he said.