Projecting confidence ahead of the polls, Banerjee asserted that the TMC would secure a comfortable victory. “We will win more than 226 seats in the 2026 assembly polls,” she said. The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday unveiled its candidate list for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections
At least 10 persons charred to death in a truck-bus collision in Andhra PradeshThe accident occurred near Rayavaram village between 6:00 am and 6:30 am, according to preliminary information gathered by the police. Updated on: Mar 26, 2026 8:00 AM IST By Srinivasa Rao Apparasu Share via Copy link At
The new labour laws under the OSH Code, 2020 are set to change how companies manage employee leave, introducing a 30-day carry forward cap, mandatory encashment of excess leave, and stronger safeguards against leave denial—aimed at ensuring workers don’t lose their entitled time off
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Late night streaming feels better with these top 5 bedroom smart TVsFind the best smart TVs for your bedroom with options that balance size, sound, and picture quality
The rules are even stricter for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries. For PMUY consumers, the waiting period has gone up by 20 days, now standing at 45 days. New Delhi: Indian Oil Corporation has revised the mandatory waiting period for households with two-cylinder connections from 25 days
When it comes to organ transplantation, few journeys are as complex, emotionally charged, and under-acknowledged as lung transplants. While heart, kidney, and liver transplant stories occasionally find their way into the public domain, survivor stories of lung transplants remain rare. This silence is not due to a lack of medical progress or need, it stems from a narrative gap that urgently needs bridging.
Why We Don’t Hear Enough Survivor Stories: The Narrative Gap Around Lung Transplant Awareness
When it comes to organ transplantation, few journeys are as complex, emotionally charged, and under-acknowledged as lung transplants. While heart, kidney, and liver transplant stories occasionally find their way into the public domain, survivor stories of lung transplants remain rare. This silence is not due to a lack of medical progress or need, it stems from a narrative gap that urgently needs bridging.
Dr. Kapil Iyer, Consultant Transplant Pulmonologist, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, explains, “Lung transplants represent one of the most difficult yet life-saving medical journeys. The problem is not that these stories don't exist it's that they aren't being told."
The Silent Crisis: India's Lung Disease Burden
According to the Global Burden of Diseases Report, 2017, India carries one of the world's highest burdens of chronic respiratory diseases, accounting for 15.69% of global cases and a staggering 30.28% of global deaths. This means that while Indians form a smaller share of global patients, they disproportionately bear the brunt of mortality.
“For many patients with end-stage lung disease, a transplant is the only lifeline left," says Dr. Iyer. “Unlike kidneys, where dialysis can sustain life temporarily, or livers, where living donors can step in, there is no backup for lungs. A cadaveric transplant is the only option."
Why Are Survivor Stories Missing?
Despite progress in deceased organ donation in India with transplants rising from 2,265 in 2016 to 2,935 in 2023, lung transplants remain far less visible compared to kidneys or livers. Dr. Iyer outlines the reasons:
High Risk and Complexity
“Lung transplants are among the most challenging procedures in organ transplantation," explains Dr. Iyer. Survivors face a demanding regimen of lifelong immunosuppressants, infection risks, and frequent hospital visits. While many go on to live fulfilling lives, the journey often feels too medicalized, fragile, or private to share publicly.
Cultural and Social Hesitations
In India, conversations around lungs are often tied to stigma whether it is smoking-related disease, tuberculosis scars, or industrial pollution. Survivors may hesitate to come forward, fearing judgment, pity, or misunderstanding.
Focus on Donation, Not Survivorship
Public campaigns highlight the noble act of organ donation but rarely showcase transplant survivors who embody the success of that generosity. “We hear about donation drives and statistics, but less about what happens after," Dr. Iyer notes.
What Makes Lung Transplants Possible in India?
Despite these barriers, India has seen steady growth in transplant capacity. According to Dr. Iyer, four pillars make lung transplants feasible here:
High burden of end-stage lung disease: Sadly, the large number of patients drives demand and advancements.
Robust deceased organ donation system: Though uneven across states, India's network has strengthened over the last decade.
Competent medical and surgical teams: Pioneering hospitals now have highly skilled teams capable of handling complex transplants and aftercare.
Institutional alignment: Coordinated frameworks between hospitals, government bodies, and organ donation organizations ensure efficient organ retrieval and allocation.
“Survival is not a miracle," Dr. Iyer emphasizes. “It is the outcome of science, teamwork, and systemic progress. Yet the human stories behind these successes remain unheard."
Why Survivor Stories Matter
Every untold survivor story is a missed opportunity. Narratives inspire hope, normalize treatment, reduce stigma, and motivate families to consider organ donation.
“For a patient gasping for breath on oxygen support, hearing someone say, ‘I was where you are, and now I can walk my child to school,' can mean the difference between despair and determination," says Dr. Iyer.
Globally, countries with higher transplant awareness often weave survivor stories into mainstream conversations through media, documentaries, and public campaigns. In India, where cultural storytelling is deeply ingrained, this approach could bridge the gap more effectively than statistics alone.
Bridging the Gap: What Can Be Done?
Dr. Iyer suggests several steps to close the narrative gap:
Encourage patient advocacy – Hospitals and NGOs can create platforms where survivors feel safe to share.
Humanize awareness campaigns – Balance donation drives with uplifting survivor stories.
Media sensitization – Journalists covering health stories should seek survivor voices alongside expert insights.
Community role models – Survivors who are willing to share can become ambassadors of hope.
A Call to Shift the Conversation
The rise in deceased organ donations in India from 930 donors in 2016 to 1,099 in 2023 is a heartening sign. The average number of transplants per donor has also increased, showing how institutional alignment and medical excellence are saving more lives.
Swipe Left For Next Video
But numbers alone are not enough. “To truly transform outcomes, we must give survivors a voice," says Dr. Iyer. “By sharing these stories, we honor patient resilience, inspire future recipients, and reinforce the life-changing impact of every donor family's decision."
Lung transplantation may be a complex medical triumph, but at its core, it is a human story of breath restored and life reclaimed. And those are stories worth telling.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Karnataka’s Shakti Scheme sets world record with over 500 cr women bus journeys Six Most Scenic Indian Train Journeys You Can’t Miss Why India needs a policy to ensure that organ donors are protected – and respected Why India needs a policy to ensure that organ donors protected – and respected Organ transported on commercial flight for first time in Kerala Court denies bail to prime accused in Kochi organ trafficking case Grieving family claims son’s body was returned from Bali with one organ missing Why a textile town became the hub of illegal organ trade A Comprehensive Step-By-Step Guide To Becoming An Organ Donor In India One Organ Donor
With just days left until submissions close on March 29, the ET AI Hackathon 2026 enters its most decisive stretch. Shortlisted teams are now deep in development, refining prototypes under real constraints. The focus has shifted entirely to execution, where clarity, functionality
1 days ago
Quote of the day, 26 March: “I don't think I'm a very emotional person. I'm a very practical person. I like to keep things simple,” MS Dhoni. Meaning of quoteThis quote from MS Dhoni offers a direct glimpse into his core philosophy.Quote of the day
1 days ago
Priyanka Chopra clicks pictures with fans as she lands in India; heads to Amritsar for ‘another adventure’Priyanka Chopra was recently spotted at the Delhi airport, happily posing for fans and the paparazzi before heading to Amritsar. Mar 26, 2026
1 days ago
A 22-year-old woman from the United Kingdom is thinking about moving to Bengaluru after getting a job offer. Before making a decision, she reached out online to understand what life in the city might be like, especially for someone her age. She shared that her main worries are safety and feeling
1 days ago
Paresh Raja’s £200,000 watch raised red flags years before £1.3-billion MFS collapseIn 2019, Paresh Raja, the man behind MFS, turned up to meetings wearing a Richard Mille timepiece worth upwards of £200,000. Updated on: Mar 26, 2026 7:11 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link Years before
1 days ago
The Uttar Pradesh Police has booked All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen’s state unit chief Haji Shaukat Ali for making allegedly provocative remarks during an Eid event in Meerut, The Indian Express reported on Wednesday. Three of the party’s office-bearers have also been arrested for
1 days ago
Tamil Nadu’s main opposition party, AIADMK, on Wednesday released its first list of 23 candidates for the State Assembly polls, with party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami set to contest from his home constituency of Edappadi. In Tamil Nadu, the polling will be held in a single phase on April 23 to
1 days ago
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner knows going to Germany and overturning a 3-2 first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich in the Champions League will test his side like never before. But he refuses to believe it is a task beyond them. Skinner rejected claims his side were naive in not shutting the
1 days ago
India will champion food security and farmer welfare at the upcoming WTO conference in Cameroon. The nation will advocate for developing economies' policy space in digital trade and investment. Discussions will cover WTO reform, e-commerce, and fisheries subsidies
1 days ago
Mohamed Salah's long goodbye from Liverpool signals the end of a glorious era and leaves the Premier League giants facing another expensive rebuild. The Egyptian superstar announced on Tuesday that he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the season after a glittering nine-year spell at the club
1 days ago
As per the report, a senior Congress leader confirmed that the notices were received a few days ago, giving the party limited time to respond. The development has caused concern within the party, with leaders acknowledging that the situation has become more urgent than before.As per the report
1 days ago
US president Donald Trump says he will meet Chinese president Xi Jinping in China on 14-15 May, after delaying the landmark trip amid the US-Israel war with Iran. This would be the first visit to China by a US president in nearly 10 years. Trump is also set to host Xi in Washington DC later this
1 days ago
Carlo Ancelotti reacts to Neymar selection debate as Brazil legends rally amid World Cup snub fears Updated on: Mar 26, 2026 7:10 AM IST Written by Aratrick Mondal Share via Copy link Carlo Ancelotti had his say on Neymar World Cup debate Key Takeaways Summary is AI-generated Brazil head coach
1 days ago
Queen Camilla is to appear in a BBC documentary about the life-changing power of books. The Queen will reflect on the childhood experiences that sparked her passion for reading and reflect on the comfort she still finds in books. In what programme-makers describe as a "special and intimate
1 days ago
The bombs, the stranded ships and LPG shortages have made it to the headlines. The acid rain, the oil spills and the carbon cost of rerouting ships remain hidden in plain sight. Four weeks ago, the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran. Since then
1 days ago
NCP(SP) leader Rohit Pawar alleged that Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare attempted to seize control of the NCP after Ajit Pawar's death by falsely claiming constitutional amendments to the ECI. Sunetra Pawar reportedly thwarted this plan by writing to the ECI
1 days ago
State-run Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) on Wednesday dismissed rumours of petrol and diesel shortages, assuring that fuel supplies across the country remain adequate and supply chains are functioning smoothly. In a public advisory, the company said it is fully operational and committed to
1 days ago
Samsung Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G mobiles launched in India: Check specs, features and priceSamsung has launched Galaxy A57 and A37 in India, bringing new AI features, camera updates, and long-term software support to everyday smartphone users. Published on: Mar 25
1 days ago
Trump names Jensen Huang, Mark Zuckerberg to 13-member tech councilThe President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) could ultimately include 24 people. Published on: Mar 25, 2026 7:11 PM IST By HT Business Desk Share via Copy link US President Donald Trump plans to appoint Mark
1 days ago
Warner Bros. Discovery has officially unveiled the first teaser, title and release date of its much-anticipated Harry Potter television series. Announced at a special event in London marking the launch of HBO Max in the region, the series will debut globally on Christmas Day 2026.Warner Bros
1 days ago
NHAI to take over MG Road stretch, plans upgrade and interchange at Iffco5.5km corridor to be revamped with repairs and traffic solutions; stretch part of NH148A linking Delhi and Gurugram. Updated on: Mar 26, 2026 7:56 AM IST By Abhishek Behl Share via Copy link The National Highways Authority of
1 days ago
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina to clash again in Miami Open semi-final Published on: Mar 26, 2026 7:22 AM IST AFP Share via Copy link Aryna Sabalenka celebrates winning her match against Hailey Baptiste in the quarter finals of the women’s singles at the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium (IMAGN
1 days ago
One player cannot replace Gareth Bale – Wales' greatest is simply irreplaceable – but Harry Wilson is giving the impossible job a pretty good go. It is difficult to overstate the void Bale left. More international goals and appearances than any other Welshman
1 days ago
US officials are considering a plan to seize Iran’s Kharg Island, a crucial oil export hub through which roughly 90 per cent of the country’s crude shipments pass, according to a Reuters report. The development underscores the widening scope of military options being examined as the conflict
1 days ago
Dhurandhar: The Revenge isn’t just trending for its box office numbers; it is also giving people a lot to talk about, especially when it comes to its characters. The film has been surrounded by chatter, from being called a “propaganda" film to theories about which real-life personalities
1 days ago
“My mother is so rare, even her eyes are green. Grace, strength, and love, you are everything,” Sonam Kapoor wrote. Sunita Kapoor celebrated her birthday on March 25, with warm wishes pouring in from family and the film industry. Among them, Sonam Kapoor took a nostalgic trip down memory lane
1 days ago
The Indian rupee fell to a record low, breaching the 94-mark against the United States dollar. The currency slumped 29 paise to close at a record low of 94.05 as the outflow of foreign funds continued amid the conflict in West Asia. A drop in global crude oil prices and positive sentiments in the
1 days ago
