Organ and Tissue Transplantation

Published on 17 Feb 2025

India accounts for the 3^rd highest number of transplants in the world and recorded 18,378 organ transplants in 2023.

Provisions for Organ Donation in India

✔     Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA) 1994: Regulates organ transplantation, including post-death donations, and sets rules and penalties for healthcare providers and hospitals.

✔     National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO): Coordinates national organ and tissue procurement, distribution, and transplantation under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Challenges for Organ Donation

✔      Trafficking Risk: Vulnerable to trafficking, especially with unrelated donors.

✔      Demand and Supply Gap: Significant mismatch between the demand and supply of organs. Health being a state subject complicates THOA implementation

✔      Socio-cultural Beliefs: Religious beliefs and superstitions hinder deceased organ donation.

✔      High Cost: Unregulated transplant costs make surgeries unaffordable for low-income individuals.

✔      Infrastructural Issues: Limited facilities for organ transport; no air ambulance services.

✔      Inadequate training: Inadequate training for ICU staff on managing brain-dead patients and Shortage of effective transplant coordinators.

✔      Regional Variation: Many states lack active organ donation programs; North India has particularly low rates.

●       Example: Only 5 Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisations (ROTTO) exist.

✔      Lack of Awareness: Most people are unfamiliar with 'brain death' and its legal implications.

Way Forward

✔     Opt-Out Model: Implement a presumed consent system for organ donation.

●      Example: Spain’s opt-out system has increased organ donation rates by automatically enrolling citizens unless they choose to opt out.

✔     Kerala Model: Kerala's stringent brain death certification protocols ensure accuracy and reliability in organ donation processes.

✔     Transparency: Create a digital registry for organ allocation.

●      Example: The U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) provides transparent and fair allocation of organs.

✔     Infrastructure: Increase the number of transplantation centers.

●      Example: The UK’s expansion of transplant centers has improved access and reduced waiting times for patients.

✔     Finance: Reduce the cost of transplants.

●      Example: Israel’s policies have successfully made organ transplants more affordable and accessible to a larger population.

✔     Education: Raise public awareness about organ donation.

●      Example: Australia’s public awareness campaigns have significantly increased the number of registered organ donors.

✔     Legislation: Strengthen legal frameworks for organ donation.

●      Example: France’s comprehensive legal framework ensures ethical practices and supports organ donation efforts.

Tags:
Sci & Tech

Keywords:
Organ and Tissue Transplantation NOTTO Transplantation of Human Organs Act 1994 ROTTO

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Science and Technology