Over 500 BPL patients receive free life-saving organ transplant in Karnataka since 2019

Karnataka's state-funded organ transplant scheme has provided over 500 BPL patients with life-saving surgeries since 2019.

More than 500 below-poverty-line (BPL) patients have undergone life-saving organ transplants under Karnataka’s fully State-funded organ transplant scheme since its launch in 2019, underscoring its impact in improving access to advanced healthcare for economically vulnerable families.

According to data from the Health Department, the scheme has so far supported 528 organ transplants across Karnataka, including 395 kidney transplants, 57 heart transplants and 73 liver transplants, besides three bone marrow transplants. In addition, the government has funded 6,276 cycles of post-transplant immunosuppression medicines, a critical requirement for long-term transplant success.

Implemented through the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST), the Organ Transplant Scheme covers only BPL patients who get comprehensive financial assistance covering both high-cost transplant surgery and life-long immunosuppression medicines. The programme is fully funded by the government of Karnataka, and is aimed at ensuring that the cost of treatment does not prevent eligible BPL patients from accessing organ transplantation.

“The objective of the scheme is to ensure that no eligible BPL patient in Karnataka is denied organ transplantation because of cost. These procedures involve substantial upfront and long-term expenses, and State support is essential to prevent catastrophic health expenditure among vulnerable families,” said Harsh Gupta, Principal Secretary (Health).

The scheme was approved on December 3, 2018 and rolled out the next year. Its scope was expanded through a government order dated January 28, 2025, bringing additional procedures under its ambit.

Under the scheme, a wide range of transplants are covered, including kidney, heart, liver, heart-lung, lung and allogenic bone marrow transplants. Financial assistance varies by procedure and includes surgical costs as well as post-transplant medication support.