Gender Disparity in Organ Donation

A recent study in India has revealed a concerning pattern: the majority of organ donors are women, particularly in Asia, while the recipients are overwhelmingly men. Drawing on data from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) in New Delhi, the report highlighted that, between 1995 and 2021, 80% of living donors were women, often wives and mothers, while 80% of recipients were men.

Despite the apparent gender disparity, medical experts emphasize that there is no inherent medical reason for men requiring organ transplants more frequently than women. Dr. Anil Kumar, director of NOTTO, emphasized the need to address the issue, stating, “If women who need transplants are not getting treated, it is definitely an issue.

Researchers suggest that societal views, where men are often perceived as breadwinners, may contribute to this gendered organ donation dynamic. This perspective is reinforced by patriarchal social structures that limit women’s economic freedom and autonomy.

Notably, some researchers argue that the link between organ donations and women’s status is intricate. The study by the Asian Society of Transplantation found that the Philippines, which follows a matriarchal system, exhibited the lowest proportion of female living donors at 50%.

Efforts are being made to address this gender imbalance in organ donation. Dr. Sandeep Guleria, a transplant surgeon at Apollo Hospital in Delhi, noted that counseling initiatives have encouraged more men to come forward. However, the gender imbalance in organ donation remains a complex and persistent issue, requiring further research to understand its underlying factors fully.

_{Repurposed article originally published in My News}