Why is it in the news?
- In response to concerns regarding organ transplants involving foreign nationals and reports of potential commercial transactions, the Central government has launched an investigation to ascertain the extent of these activities.
More about the news
- Recent data from the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) highlights a significant uptick in the number of organ transplants performed on foreign nationals, particularly facilitated through private hospitals.
| · Organ transplantation in India is regulated primarily by the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA) of 1994.
· Under this law, eligibility for organ donation is primarily determined by the physical condition of the donor rather than age. · Both living donors, who must be at least 18 years old, and deceased donors can contribute organs, with consent from the family required in the case of deceased donors.
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Challenges in Organ Transplantation
- India grapples with a significant gap between the demand and supply of organs, leading to the proliferation of illegal organ trade networks.
- Organ procurement from deceased donors faces challenges due to the lack of organized systems and infrastructure.
- Additionally, there is a prevailing lack of awareness and positive attitudes towards organ donation among the general public.
Latest Guidelines and Revisions
- The latest National Organ Transplantation Guidelines have introduced several key changes, including allowing individuals above the age of 65 to receive organs from deceased donors.
- Furthermore, the requirement of domicile for patient registration for organ transplantation from deceased donors has been eliminated, potentially broadening access to transplantation services.
| Role of NOTTO
· The National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), established under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, plays a crucial role in coordinating and facilitating organ and tissue procurement and distribution activities at a national level. · NOTTO maintains a registry of organ and tissue donation and transplantation, facilitating effective tracking and management of organ allocation and transplantation processes. |
