Lok Sabha Question No. 1521 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: Non-availability of Human Organ for Organ Transplantation
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1521 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH JULY, 2023

## NON-AVAILABILITY OF HUMAN ORGAN FOR ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION

## 1521. SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the increased deaths due to the non-availability of human organs on time for organ transplantation and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any proposal to formulate robust framework to facilitate the transplantation particularly to create awareness among the organ donors and the responsible medical officers of the institutions;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the expenditure incurred by the Government to meet the expenses of the organ donors family?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. SATYA PAL SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) to (c) Health is a State subject. It is primarily the responsibility of the State Government to take steps for increasing deceased organ donation and develop infrastructure and provide manpower for organ donation and transplantation in their respective States and monitor such deaths. The data regarding number of deaths due to non-availability of human organs on time for organ transplantation, is not maintained centrally.

The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (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.mohfw.gov.in and a 24x7 call centre with a toll free helpline number (1800114770) have been made operational. A number of activities, for generating awareness and for imparting training to all those associated with transplant including doctors and transplant coordinators, such as celebration of Indian Organ Donation Day, seminars, workshops, debates, sports events, walkathons, participation in marathons, nukkad natak, etc. are organized at different places in the country. Awareness activities through advertisement in print media, audio-visual messages and expert talks on Doordarshan and other television channels are carried out in this regard. Jan Andolan for creating Organ donation awareness and pledging in the form of social media campaign has been carried out as part of Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate 75th anniversary of independence of the country. NOTTO organized a National Webinar on Organ and Tissue Donation on 22nd July 2023, which marked a significant milestone during the Organ Donation month of July, garnering tremendous response from participants across the country.

(d) As per Rule 9 of Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Rules 2014, the cost for maintenance of the cadaver (brain-stem dead declared person), retrieval of organs or tissues, their transportation and preservation, shall not be borne by the donor family and may be borne by the recipient or institution or Government or non-Government organisation or society as decided by the respective State Government or Union territory Administration.

Further, as per NOTP guideline, support of Rs. 10,000/- is provided to each donor family to cover expenses for dignified funeral of deceased donor (to be disbursed by respective SOTTO).

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