Lok Sabha Question No. 1563 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-04
Subject: Organ Donations
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA, SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1563 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH MARCH, 2016

## ORGAN DONATIONS

## 1563. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA: KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

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

- (a) whether a large number of people are dying prematurely due to heart, liver, lungs, kidneys and pancreas complications and that many lives can be saved by timely transplantation of org ans donated by others, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that organ transplantation in the country faces red - tapism, social and cultural myths and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to create awareness programme on organ donation and importance of overcoming myths and fears surrounding organ donation among people across the country and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to support organ donation and transplantation less costly and without delay?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) : Exact  data  on  the  number  of  premature  deaths  due  to  heart,  liver,  lungs,  kidney pancreas  complications  has  not  been  co mpiled.However,  there  is  a  huge  gap  between  the demand for and supply of human organs for transplantation. The present annual requirement availability of commonly transplanted organs is assessed as below:

|        | Requirement   | Availability   |
|--------|---------------|----------------|
| Kidney | 2,00,000      | 6,000          |
| Liver  | 30,000        | 1,500          |
| Heart  | 50,000        |                |

50,000                                      15

- (b): While  no  such  complaints  have  been  received  by this  Ministry,  there  are  social  and cultural issues that have a bearing on organ donation.

(c) : The Government accords a very high priority for improving awareness on donation cadaver organs to bridge the gap between the demand for and supply of organs and to save the lives of a large numbers of persons suffering from end stage organ failure. With this in importance of organ donation has been highlighted by the Hon'ble Prime Minister in 'Mann Ki Baat' Programme in October and November 2015. Fur ther steps have been taken to make organ donation easier including through provision of updated information to general public on N website,  a  24x7  call  centre  with  toll  free  helpline  number  (1800114770),  launch  of  Na Organ  and  Tissue  Donation  and Transplant  Registry.  Financial  assistance  has  also  been sanctioned for establishing four regional level organizations called Regional Organ and Transplant Organization (ROTTO) in the States of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Assam and UT o Chandigarh and carrying out awareness and training of transplant coordinators. Hospitals been  advised  to  display  boards  outside  the  Intensive  Care  Units  and  at  strategic  loca hospitals reminding that the law requires the doctor on duty/transplant coordinato r/counsellor to make  inquiry  and  request  for  organ  donation  from  the  family  members  of  brain  stem  d persons.  Financial  assistance  is  also  being  provided  under  the  National  Organ  Trans Programme for hiring transplant coordinators in Hospitals and Tr auma Centres. The Government has  also  involved  religious  leaders  and  Non - Government  Organisations, for generating awareness about organ donation.

(d)      Government  is  implementing  National  Organ  Transplant  Programme  to  support  orga donation and make trans plantation less costly and without delay with following components: -

- (a) Establishing  National  Networking  including  National  Organ  and  Tissue  Transplan Organisation  at  National  level,  Regional    Organ  and  Tissue  Transplant  Organisat (ROTTO)  at  regional level  and  State  Organ  and  Tissue  Transplant  Organisation (SOTTO) in States;
- (b) Maintaining National Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Registry;
- (c) IEC activities for improving awareness on organ donation;
- (d) Provision of financial assistance to 100 needy and poor patients in Government hospitals every year for post transplant immunosuppressant therapy;
- (e) Financial  support  for  maintenance  of  body  of  deceased  donor  when  the  organ allocated to a Government Hospital;
- (f) Funding of two transplant coordin ators @ Rs. 20000/ -per coordinator per month and a computer  set  for  each  Government  medical  college  and  attached  hospitals.  Financ support for this component is also available for good performing private centres .
- (g) Support for training of staff involve d in transplantation such as Transplant Surgeons, Transplant Physicians, Nurses and Transplant Coordinators;
- (h) Transplant facilities are provided at Government Hospitals at subsidized cost .

Financial  Assistance  is  also  provided  to  below  poverty  line  pati ents  under  Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi for organ transplantation.