The Union Health Ministry has advised states and union territories that women patients should be preferred in the waiting list of organ transplantation, so that gender inequality can be removed. Along with this, the Ministry has also suggested that close relatives and relatives of dead donors waiting for organ transplantation should be given priority.
Counseling to all states and union territories
These suggestions have been given to all states and union territories by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NootTO) under the Ministry of Health. This consultation was released on August 2 to promote organ donation and transplantation on the occasion of 15th Indian organ donation day.
‘Funeral should be performed in a respectable manner’
This consultation states that the dead limbs should be cremated in a respectful manner and their families should be honored in state/district level public programs on the occasion of August 15, January 26, State Foundation Day etc. It further states, ‘Provision should be made to give additional marks to women patients in the waiting list of deceased donor transplantation, so that gender inequality can be removed. If a relative close to a dead donor needs a transplantation, then he should be given priority.
Instructions issued to develop facilities in all trauma centers
It suggests developing the facilities of organ and tissue extract in all trauma centers and register them as organ withdrawal centers under the organ and tissue transplant act (Thota), 1994. Similarly, states have been advised to develop such facilities in their medical colleges in a phased manner. States have been asked to train emergency service personnel and ambulance employees to identify potential dead donors in patients with road accidents and stroke patients and inform the organ donor coordinator about this.
Suggestions to appoint states a brand ambassador
In this consultation, it is also suggested to appoint a brand ambassador from states, which can promote public awareness activities. NOTTO has recommended the creation of permanent posts for them in organ donation and transplant coordinated hospitals, given the important role of transplant coordinators in organ donation and transplanting programs.
Health Minister JP Nadda emphasized the importance of organ donation
Emphasizing the importance of organ donation, Union Health Minister JP Nadda recently stated at an event that there is a worrying increase in organ failure cases, which is a serious threat to public health and putting additional burden on the health system. He said, ‘Every year thousands of people wait for organ transplantation. Despite the quick need, there is a huge difference between the number of patients included in the waiting list and the number of available donors.