Chennai: Tamil Nadu was awarded Best Performing State for organ donation for the 4th time in the country. During the inauguration of a marathon to create awareness on organ donation, Tamil Nadu health minister C Vijayabaskar said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appreciated the achievement.

The marathon, which was organised by Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (TRANSTAN) and the health department, began at the Public Office (Court) Building and culminated at the Sports Complex.

Vijayabaskar added that more than 12,00 people participated in the marathon and this has helped in securing a place in the Asian Book of Records. Winners of the marathon received cash prizes of Rs 10,000 to Rs 3,000 while others received a certificate for participation. According to sources in Tamil Nadu, 7,573 organs were received from 1,298 donors.

Vijayabaskar told media, those who wished to donate organs could register themselves online and those who required organs could also register themselves online and need not travel to Chennai for registration with Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu.  He added the state government would continue to make efforts to make organ donation a people’s movement through various activities and be a frontrunner in the field.