In a landmark shift for public health policy in the state, the Government of Telangana has officially integrated an organ donation "opt-in" feature into the digitized driver’s license application process. This move, facilitated by the state's transition to the Central Government’s Sarathi Parivahan system, addresses a long-standing gap in Telangana’s organ procurement infrastructure.
For years, Telangana was among a small group of states without a streamlined method for citizens to record their donor status on their licenses. This absence resulted in the loss of thousands of viable organs annually - organs that could have provided a second lease on life for patients on transplant waiting lists.
The MOHAN Foundation, a leading NGO in the field of deceased organ donation, has been instrumental in advocating for this inclusion. Under the leadership of Lalitha Raghuram, Country Director of the MOHAN Foundation, and supported by the persistent advocacy of intern Sanika Bihani, the foundation has spent the last two years rallying for this specific policy and technical change.
Through her internship, Bihani worked closely with Raghuram and transport authorities to promote a simple checkbox on a digital form which could bridge the gap between intent and action.
"Seeing this feature go live on the Sarathi portal is a deeply personal victory," said Sanika Bihani. "Having spent two years advocating for this 'opt-in' approach under the guidance of the foundation, it represents more than just a policy update; it’s a commitment from the state to honor the gift of life. For me, it means that every new driver now has a frictionless way to make a heroic choice that could one day save up to eight lives."
The updated application flow allows users to declare their intent to donate organs at the same time they apply for a Learner’s or Permanent License. By checking a simple box, the user’s preference is recorded in the national database, ensuring that their wishes are known to medical professionals and family members in the event of a tragedy.
To assist the public in navigating this new feature, the foundation has released a step-by-step video demonstration showcasing the ease of the digital signup process.
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