Chandigarh, Sept. 6 -- For organ failure patients in North India, the system seems to fail them more than their bodies do. With the region having just 20 government-run facilities that are licensed to carry out organ transplants, and the long waiting period, patients are forced to go for treatment at private hospitals, which make them pay through the nose.

For perspective, a kidney transplant surgery at a government facility like Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) costs around Rs.2-2.5 lakh while private hospitals charge nearly Rs.6 lakh (140% higher). A heart transplant at PGIMER costs about Rs.8 lakh, compared to Rs.12-15 lakh (50-87% more) at private hospitals.

In all, there are 78 licensed organ trans...