Lok Sabha Question No. 1928 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-29
Subject: Sale of Human Organs
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: K. Shanmuga Sundaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1928 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29 TH NOVEMBER, 2019

## SALE OF HUMAN ORGANS

## 1928. SHRI SHANMUGA SUNDARAM K.:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government of India is mplementing Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994  regulating  the  organ donations  and  transplants  which  includes donation  of  human organs pertaining to the brain de ad persons and if so, the objectives thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has received  any  report  or  complaints  from  the citizens regarding the sale of human organs for monetary considerations;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government is  having any  proposal  to  set  up  National  Human Organ Donation Bank to facilitate the transplantation of human organs without involvement of any middleman and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the further steps taken by the Government to popularize the scheme tocreate awareness among the citizens especially poor people?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a): Yes.The Government of India enacted the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994 and made rules thereunder for regulation of removal, stora and  transplantation  of  human  organs  and  tissues  for  therapeutic  purposes  and  for prevention of commercial dealings in human organ s and tissues and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
- (b)& (c) : Few instances of human organ trade have come to the notice of the Ministry Health and Family Welfare through complaints/media reports.  Under the Transplantation H uman Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994 there is a State level Appropriate Authori to investigate any complaint of breach of any of the provisions of this Act or any of made thereunder and take appropriate action. Accordingly, these cases are forwarded to the concerned State Government for investigation and taking action as per the provisions Act. Further, details of such cases in not maintained by the Ministry of Health and F Welfare.

(d ): There is no such proposal to set up Nati onal Human Organ Donation Bank as organs like Heart, Kidney, etc. need to be transplanted immediately after retrieval. H the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has a facility of Natio Level  Tissue  Bank  (Biomaterial  Centre) for  storing  tissues.  Under  the  National  Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP), a provision has been made for providing financial support the States for setting up of Bio -material centre. As of now a Regional Bio -material centre has been established at Regi onal Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO), Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Further, funds have been released to the State of Bihar and Maharashtra establishment of Bio - material Centre under NOTP.

(e) : The  'National  Organ  and  Tissue  Transplant  Organisation  (NOTTO)',  'Regional Organ  and  Tissue  Transplant  Organizations  (ROTTOs)'  and  'State  Organ  and  Tissue Transplant Organizations (SOTTOs)' disseminate relevant information about organ donation in the public. A website www.notto.gov.in and a 24x7 call centre with a toll free helpline number (1800114770) have been made operational. A number of activities, for generati awareness  and  for  imparting  training  to  all  those  associated  with  transplant  ac including d octors and transplant coordinators, such as celebration of Indian Organ Dona Day,  seminars,  workshops,  debates,  sports  events,  walkathons,  participation  in  marat nukkad natak, etc. are organized at different places in the Country. Advertisement i print media, audio - visual messages and talks to promote cadaver organ donation are also telec on Doordarshan and other television channels from time to time.