0
0
In a remarkable achievement that underscores its ongoing commitment to organ donation and transplant excellence, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, has been awarded the Best Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO) Award for the second consecutive year at the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day ceremony. The event took place at the Dr BR Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
This marks PGIMER’s third national win with previous ROTTO titles in 2019 and 2024, reaffirming its leadership role in promoting cadaver organ donation across North India. The award ceremony, organized by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), was graced by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Chemicals & Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda, who lauded the institution’s efforts to foster ethical organ donation and increase public awareness.
The award was received by a delegation led by Prof Vivek Lal, Director of PGIMER; Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Administration); Prof Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent and Nodal Officer, ROTTO PGIMER; and Saryu D Madra, Consultant (IEC/Media). In addition to the ROTTO honor, PGIMER also received the Best Brain Stem Death (BSD) Declaration Team award for its outstanding practices in ethical donor identification and management.
The event also saw an emotional highlight when Krishna, a heart transplant recipient, was honored on stage alongside his parents, showcasing the very real, life-transforming impact of organ donation.
Since its designation as ROTTO North in 2015, PGIMER has played a leading role, coordinating organ donation and transplant efforts across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chandigarh. Their work continues to set national benchmarks through a combination of awareness campaigns and robust transplant coordination.
The institution’s commitment to expanding the donor pool and supporting the families of donors is visible through initiatives like Project Sarathi, aiming to extend awareness to schools and local communities. Prof Lal described the recognition as “a testament to our unwavering commitment to saving lives through ethical organ donation.” Prof Koushal added that “this is not just a victory for PGIMER, but for every life transformed through organ donation.”
Disclaimer: This report is based on publicly available information and news releases as of August 2, 2025. For official statements or further details, please contact PGIMER or the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation directly.
