Organ Donation in India
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus:
Source: Th
Context: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have recently released data on Organ donation in India.
Major Findings:
• Women Lead in Living Donations: 9,784 women donated organs, surpassing 5,651 male donors.
• Record High Transplants: Total transplants in 2023 reached 18,378, the highest ever.
• Deceased Donations: More deceased donors were men (844) than women (255).
• Kidney Transplants Dominant: Most transplants were kidneys, followed by liver and heart transplants.
• State Rankings: Telangana led in cadaver donations, followed by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
• Low Donation Rate: The organ donation rate remains under one per million population.
• Need for Awareness: Continued promotion of deceased organ donation is necessary.
What is Organ Donation?
Organ donation is the process of giving an organ or tissue to someone in need of a transplant. It can involve living donors, who can donate one kidney or part of their liver, or deceased donors, who can donate multiple organs like the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and tissues after death. This act helps save or improve the lives of patients suffering from end-stage organ failure.
Laws regarding Organ donation in India:
The primary law governing organ transplants in India is the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA), 1994. India ranks third globally in the number of transplants conducted. Overall, organ transplants, including both deceased and living donors, increased from 4,990 in 2013 to 15,561 in 2022.
The Delhi High Court in January 2024, recommended a 6-8 week timeframe for completing organ transplant processes involving living donors. It also directed the government to set specific timelines for all stages of organ donation applications, in line with the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (THOT) Act, 1994, and THOT Rules, 2014.
Eligibility:
• Organ donation eligibility is primarily based on the donor’s physical condition (and not age), with both living (above 18 years) and deceased individuals being eligible.
• Consent from the family is required for deceased organ donation.
• According to the latest guidelines, individuals above 65 years can receive organs for transplantation from deceased donors, and the requirement of state domicile for patient registration was removed.
Reforms Needed:
• Compliance with THOTA: Authorities should ensure compliance with the Transplantation of Human Organs & Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994, investigating any breaches and taking appropriate action.
• Unique ID: Health authorities must ensure the generation of a unique NOTTO-ID for both organ donors and recipients in all transplant cases to enhance transparency and traceability.
• Data Sharing: Ensure regular collection and sharing of transplant data, including cases involving foreigners, with NOTTO to enhance transparency and accountability.
NOTTO (National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization) is a national-level organization under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It coordinates and networks for organ and tissue procurement and distribution nationwide. Additionally, it maintains a registry of organ and tissue donation and transplantation activities.
Ethical aspects of organ donation:
Ethical Aspect | Description
Autonomy | Respecting the donor’s right to make informed decisions about organ donation, whether living or deceased.
Informed Consent | Ensuring donors or their families are fully informed and voluntarily consent to donation.
Beneficence | The principle of doing good by helping recipients improve their quality of life or save their lives.
Non-Maleficence | Ensuring that the donation process does not cause unnecessary harm to the donor.
Justice | Fair and equitable allocation of organs to recipients, regardless of their background or social status.
Confidentiality | Protecting the privacy and identity of both donors and recipients.
Altruism | Emphasizing the selfless nature of organ donation as an act of charity and goodwill.
Transparency | Maintaining clear, honest communication about the donation process and criteria for organ allocation.
Cultural Sensitivity | Respecting cultural, religious, and personal beliefs in the context of organ donation decisions.
Exploitation Prevention | Safeguarding against the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, especially in living donations.
Posthumous Rights | Considering the wishes and dignity of the deceased in the case of organ donation after death.
Insta Links:
Organ Donation to Foreigners in India