Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2025

Source: ETH

Subject: Miscellaneous

Context: The Union Health Ministry has amended the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2025, removing the mandatory requirement of clinical specular equipment for corneal transplantation centres.

About Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Rules, 2025:

• What it is? The amendment to the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2014, issued under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994, seeks to simplify norms for corneal transplantation and strengthen the National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP).

• The amendment to the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules, 2014, issued under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994, seeks to simplify norms for corneal transplantation and strengthen the National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP).

• Aim: To boost cornea donation and transplantation services, streamline the approval process, and remove infrastructural bottlenecks, ensuring equitable access to eye-care facilities across India.

• To boost cornea donation and transplantation services, streamline the approval process, and remove infrastructural bottlenecks, ensuring equitable access to eye-care facilities across India.

• Key Features:

• Removal of mandatory clinical specular microscope requirement: previously used to assess corneal endothelial cell health, easing compliance for smaller eye centres.

• Promotes equitable access to transplant services in rural and semi-urban regions by reducing cost and equipment barriers.

• Strengthens NOTP by improving coordination among hospitals, tissue banks, and regulatory authorities.

• Based on expert and stakeholder consultations, aligning with the government’s Vision for Equitable Healthcare Access.

• Long-term objective: Strengthen India’s cornea donation ecosystem and reduce the burden of corneal blindness — the second-leading cause of blindness among Indians over 50 years of age.

About the Cornea:

• What it is? The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped outer layer at the front of the eye that functions like a window, allowing light to enter and focus on the retina for clear vision.

• The cornea is the transparent, dome-shaped outer layer at the front of the eye that functions like a window, allowing light to enter and focus on the retina for clear vision.

• Characteristics: Acts as a protective barrier against dust, microbes, and injury. Comprises six layers: Epithelium, Bowman’s Layer, Stroma, Pre-Descemet’s (Dua’s) Layer, Descemet’s Layer, and Endothelium. Highly sensitive: has 300–600 times more pain receptors than skin, ensuring quick reflex protection. Maintains eye structure and fluid balance, essential for vision clarity. Self-healing: minor injuries repair rapidly, but deeper damage (scarring or clouding) often requires corneal transplant surgery to restore vision.

• Acts as a protective barrier against dust, microbes, and injury.

• Comprises six layers: Epithelium, Bowman’s Layer, Stroma, Pre-Descemet’s (Dua’s) Layer, Descemet’s Layer, and Endothelium.

• Highly sensitive: has 300–600 times more pain receptors than skin, ensuring quick reflex protection.

• Maintains eye structure and fluid balance, essential for vision clarity.

• Self-healing: minor injuries repair rapidly, but deeper damage (scarring or clouding) often requires corneal transplant surgery to restore vision.