NATIONAL ORGAN AND TISSUE TRANSPLANT ORGANIZATION – POLITY
News: Organ
transplant body writes to States, calls for strict action to prevent
trafficking
What's in the news?
● The
National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) has issued a warning
after it found private websites and social media posts promoting and offering
organs for trade.
Key takeaways:
● In
its communication this week, the organization said that certain websites and
social media posts are promoting and offering organ trading which is in violation
of the provisions of Transplantation of
Human Organ and Tissue Act (THOTA), 1994 and Rules.
● Such
activities are punishable offence under section-18 of THOTA 1994, with fines
ranging from ₹20 lakh to ₹1 crore and imprisonment ranging from five to 10 years.
National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization
(NOTTO):
● It
is a National level organization set up under the Directorate General of Health
Services, Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare, Government of India.
● It
functions as the apex center for coordinating
all activities and networking for the procurement and distribution of
organs and tissues and maintaining the registry of organs and tissue donation
and transplantation in the country.
Steps taken by the Government for safe Organ
Transplantation:
1. The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act
(THOTA):
● The
THOTA was passed in 1994 and amended in 2011 to regulate the removal, storage,
and transplantation of human organs and tissues for therapeutic purposes.
2. Establishment of the National Organ and Tissue
Transplant Organization (NOTTO):
● The
NOTTO was established in 2014 as a national-level organization to coordinate
organ donation and transplantation activities across the country. The
organization is responsible for maintaining a national registry of organ donors
and recipients, promoting organ donation, and ensuring the safe and ethical
conduct of organ transplantation activities.
3. Accreditation of transplant centers:
● The
government has established a system for accrediting transplant centers in the
country. Accreditation is based on various criteria, such as the qualifications
and experience of the medical personnel, the infrastructure and facilities
available at the center, and the quality and safety of the transplantation procedures.
4. Public awareness campaigns:
● These
campaigns aim to educate the public about the importance of organ donation and
encourage them to register as organ donors.
5. Use of technology:
● The
government is using technology to streamline the organ transplantation process
and make it more transparent and efficient.