17 & counting: Year’s deceased organ donation breaks record
Times of India | 13 November 2025
Kolkata: Bengal achieved a new height in deceased organ donation on Wednesday. The family of a 67-year-old woman consented to donate her organs after she was declared brain dead in a Kolkata hospital, making it the 17th deceased organ donation this year.
The number has crossed the state's best-ever record of 16 donations that occurred in 2023. With more than a month and a half left till the new year, ROTTO (East) hopes for a few more in the coming weeks.
The deceased, Chandana Gupta, was admitted to CMRI, CK Birla Hospitals Kolkata, on Monday following an acute brain stroke at her Kanaipur home in Hooghly. Despite intensive treatment, she did not respond and reached the stage of brain death.
When informed and counselled, the family decided to donate all her vital organs and cornea.
"My mother was very liberal in her ways, and was of a loving and caring nature. While losing her is irreparable, we find not only solace but are proud that she continues to serve as a saviour even in death," said her son Shankar Sengupta, who works in the IT sector. Survived by her husband, Sekhar, a son, and a daughter, family members said that Gupta was respected in the neighbourhood for her helpful and caring nature.
Sombrata Roy, unit head, CMRI, CK Birla Hospitals Kolkata, said, "We are deeply grateful to the family for their courageous decision during a time of immense grief. We are committed to supporting and encouraging people to come forward for this noble cause."
After being informed, ROTTO (East) started scouting for matching recipients. Doctors found only the two kidneys viable for transplant. While one was allocated to Command Hospital, the second was offered to Fortis Hospital.
The cornea has been banked at Priyamvada Birla Aravind Eye Hospital.
Bengal's deceased organ donation journey began in 2010 with a lone donation originating from state-run IPGMER. The second followed in 2012, after a one-year gap, with Belle Vue Clinic contributing the single donation for the year. The impetus began in 2016 after a lull of three years, when the state registered four donations. Since then, there has not been a single year without donations. Even in 2020, during the Covid pandemic, the city recorded six donations.
The number kept crawling up slowly, but steadily, during the next two years, with the figure reaching 16 in 2023. It went down slightly to 14 in 2024.