Government Initiatives Propel Organ Donation: A Comprehensive Overview
The Government of India is actively taking multifaceted measures to boost organ donation rates across the country. Notable efforts include the dissemination of information through the National Organ & Tissue Transplantation Organization (NOTTO), Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (ROTTOs), and State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (SOTTOs) established under the National Organ Transplant Program (NOTP).
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued directives to NOTTO, ROTTOs, and SOTTOs to create awareness about the legally sanctioned process of organ donation and educate the public about the illegality and repercussions associated with organ trafficking, a violation of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994.
As part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, organ donation is being promoted as a "Jan Andolan" through social media. The Ministry is running a pledge campaign and slogan competition on the MyGov platform. The "Angdaan Mahotsav," initiated in July 2023, includes various awareness programs on deceased donor organ donation nationwide. The 1st National Webinar on organ and tissue donation in July 2023 focused on the prevention of kidney and liver failure, attracting participation from thousands of medical professionals.
To facilitate information dissemination and coordination for organ donation, a website and a 24x7 call center with a toll-free helpline number (1800114770) have been established. Awareness activities are widespread, encompassing events like the celebration of Indian Organ Donation Day, seminars, workshops, debates, sports events, walkathons, marathons, nukkad natak, and the NOTTO Scientific Dialogue 2023. Display boards on organ donation are strategically placed in transplant/retrieval hospitals, and advertisements are published in print and electronic media.
The Ministry has integrated the kidney transplantation package into the PM-JAY scheme of Ayushman Bharat. Under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), patients below the poverty line can receive financial support of up to Rs. 15 lakh for heart, lung, liver, kidney transplantation, etc.
The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 empowers Appropriate Authorities appointed by each State/UT to investigate complaints or breaches of the Act's provisions. While health and law & order fall under State subjects, States and UTs are primarily responsible for taking actions against unscrupulous operators involved in organ trafficking. The Appropriate Authorities have the authority of a civil court for this purpose, as outlined in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908).