Aastha Trust

Overview About Donor

Organ donation is the process of giving an organ or a part of an organ to be transplanted into another person. In India, the need for organ transplants is vast due to the large population and the prevalence of conditions such as kidney failure, liver disease, heart disease, and other ailments that necessitate organ transplants. Despite the high demand, the rate of organ donation in India is relatively low due to various social, cultural, and infrastructural challenges.

Donation Types

1. Living Donor Donation
- • Living Related Donors: Donors who are close family members (parents, siblings, children, grandparents) of the recipient.
- • Living Unrelated Donors: Donors who are emotionally related or unrelated to the recipient but not biologically related.
2. Deceased Donor Donation
- • Brain-Dead Donors: Individuals declared brain-dead but whose other organs are kept functional through medical intervention.
- • Cardiac Death Donors: Individuals whose heart has permanently stopped beating.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994

• This act regulates the removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs and tissues
• It defines brain death and establishes the legality of brain death declaration by a panel of doctors
• It mandates the formation of Authorization Committees to approve organ donations, particularly from unrelated living donors, to prevent organ trafficking

Amendments to THOTA, 2011

• Expanded the scope to include tissue donation.
• Strengthened the regulatory framework to curb illegal organ trade.
• Introduced the concept of "required request," mandating hospitals to request organ donation from the families of brain-dead patients

Process of Organ Donation

1.Registration:
- • Individuals can register their willingness to donate organs posthumously by signing up with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) or similar state-level bodies.
2.Brain Death Declaration:
- • In cases of deceased donation, a panel of four doctors, including a neurologist or neurosurgeon, must confirm brain death based on standardized criteria.
3.Consent:
- • For living donations, the donor and their family must provide informed consent.
- • For deceased donations, the family of the deceased must consent to the donation.
4.Matching and Allocation:
- • Organs are matched based on medical criteria such as blood type, tissue type, and urgency.
- • The allocation is done through a centralized system managed by NOTTO, ensuring a fair and transparent process.
5.Transplantation:
- • Once a match is found, the organ is transported under strict medical protocols to the recipient hospital.
- • The transplant surgery is performed by a specialized medical team.

Challenges

1.Awareness and Education:
- • There is a significant lack of awareness about organ donation, leading to myths and misconceptions.
- • Education campaigns are needed to inform the public about the benefits and process of organ donation
2.Cultural and Religious Beliefs:
- • Some cultural and religious beliefs discourage organ donation, posing a barrier to increased donation rates
3.Infrastructure:
- • The infrastructure for organ retrieval, storage, and transplantation is inadequate in many parts of the country.
- • There is a need for more trained professionals and equipped facilities.
4.Legal and Ethical Issues:
- • Despite stringent laws, illegal organ trade and ethical issues regarding consent and exploitation of donors are concerns.

Initiatives and Efforts

1.National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO):
- Centralized body responsible for coordinating and overseeing organ donation and transplantation activities across the country.
2.State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (SOTTOs):
- State-level bodies working under NOTTO to implement organ donation programs.
3.Organ Donation Day:
- Celebrated annually on August 13 to raise awareness and promote the cause of organ donation.
4.Hospitals and NGOs:
- Various hospitals and non-governmental organizations actively promote organ donation through awareness campaigns and support to donor families.

Conclusion

Organ donation in India is a life-saving act that can significantly reduce the burden of organ failure and improve the quality of life for many patients. Despite the challenges, concerted efforts by the government, healthcare professionals, and civil society can enhance the organ donation rate in the country. Increased awareness, robust legal frameworks, and improved medical infrastructure are key to advancing the cause of organ donation in India