Latest news with #NOTTO
India Today
20-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
An organ donor can save seven lives: A full guide to this noble pledge
Organ donation is a life-saving medical intervention that has the power to transform lives. In India, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) regulates, coordinates and promotes organ donation and transplantation. Dr Anant Kumar, chairman, urology, kidney transplant and robotics, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, explains the humanity and technicalities of pledging your organs to save someone's donation can be categorised into two types: living organ donation and cadaveric (deceased) organ ORGAN DONATIONA healthy individual voluntarily donates an organ/tissue to a recipient in need. This is possible because some organs/tissues can be donated without significantly affecting the donor's health. The most commonly donated organs are kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, intestine, tissues (bone, skin). However, in clinical practice, only one kidney and part of the liver are (DECEASED) ORGAN DONATIONCadaveric donation takes place when a person is declared dead, either due to cardiac death or brain death. In such cases, multiple organs and tissues can be retrieved and transplanted to patients in and tissues that can be donated after death are heart, lung, liver, kidneys, pancreas, intestine, cornea (to restore vision), skin (for burn patients), heart valves, bones, tendons and DEATH AND ORGAN DONATIONadvertisementBrain death is a state in which a person has permanently lost all brain functions and reflexes, but their heart can still beat with medical support. Once brain death occurs, the body cannot survive. Some children, though, can survive with life support for 3-4 days.A team of independent doctors perform a series of clinical tests to confirm brain death. The process follows strict guidelines under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994 in key criteria are:Absent brainstem reflexes: No response to light, pain or other test: The patient is unable to breathe without ventilator of consciousness: No activity in the brain, confirmed through brain death is confirmed, the family is counselled about organ donation. If consent is given, organ retrieval is performed while the body is on artificial support to maintain OF NOTTONOTTO, operating under the Union ministry of health and family welfare, is responsible for regulation and coordination of organ donation, organ distribution and transplantation in India. Its functions are:Maintaining a database of patients awaiting transplants and allocating organs based on medical urgency and with hospitals, state authorities and transplant organisations to facilitate organ retrieval and educational programmes promoting organ ethical and legal guidelines are illegal organ trade and enforcing OF ORGAN DONATIONadvertisementFor living donation, the donor undergoes a comprehensive medical evaluation, including psychological counselling, to ensure they are fit for donation. Once found eligible, the organ is surgically retrieved and transplanted into the cadaveric donation, the patient is declared brain dead following strict medical protocols. Consent is thereby obtained from the family. The hospital informs NOTTO or a transplant organisation about the available organs. The organ allocation process takes place based on urgency and compatibility. Organs are retrieved and transported under sterile conditions to the recipient's ORGAN DONOR IS A HEROWith increasing awareness, better medical facilities and strong regulatory bodies like NOTTO, more people can be encouraged to become donors. Families of brain-dead individuals should consider organ donation as a way to give life even in death. By dispelling myths, legal hurdles and ethical challenges, India can progress towards a more efficient and compassionate organ donation donate your organs after death. You don't need organs in heaven. You can pledge organ donation now and let your family and friends know your wish. It will help them in taking a decision after your death. Be an organ donor and save up to seven to India Today Magazine
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
As India's kidney transplant gap widens, experts call for donor pool expansion
Every week, Imran Ali* travels over 30 kilometres to a dialysis centre, a routine that has kept him alive for nearly three years. Each session costs around ₹3,500, and when combined with medication and travel, his monthly medical expenses soar to ₹70,000–₹80,000. For Imran and his family, it's a relentless cycle of financial and emotional stress. 'We've sold land, borrowed from relatives, and still, I'm waiting for a transplant,' says Imran, who is currently at number 41,000 in a waiting list of over 2 lakh kidney transplant applicants in India. 'I was told not to expect a call anytime soon. I don't even know if I'll live long enough to move ahead in the list.' Imran's doctors have warned that he may not survive more than three months without a transplant. Imran's story is not unique. It reflects the reality of thousands of people across India suffering from end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), trapped in a system where need drastically outweighs availability. According to data from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO), kidney transplants are among the most sought-after and performed procedures in India. Experts suggest that addressing India's growing burden of ESKD requires a two-pronged approach: tackling the root cause of rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension, and simultaneously addressing the critical shortage of organ donors. Growing need, limited response J. Amalorpavanathan ,founder-member secretary, Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu, observes that while the demand for kidney transplants has grown exponentially, the supply has not kept pace. 'Even countries like the United States and Spain, with well-established transplant programmes, are struggling. In India, the gap is much wider,' he says. As per estimates, between two to three lakh patients require a kidney transplant annually in India. Official data lists over 92,000 patients registered for transplants, but the real number is believed to exceed 2 lakh. Of the 13,600 transplants performed annually, just 1,851 involve deceased donors. The rest are from living donors, mostly close relatives. For those without a matching family donor, the chances become slim, and the waiting period, indefinite. Limesh M., consultant nephrologist and transplant physician at Narayana Health City, Bangaluru, explains, 'The risk of death for kidney transplant recipients is less than half that for those on long-term dialysis. It also dramatically improves quality of life.' Still, only 2.4% of patients with kidney failure in India undergo a transplant. The number of patients on waiting lists increases by 10% each year, but transplants grow at just 4%, say experts. The average wait time for a deceased donor kidney is between three and five years, and prolonged dialysis, which patients have to undergo while waiting, is not only a financial burdens but also reduces post-transplant survival and quality of life. Closing the gap: deceased and cardiac death donations One of the major ways to address this shortfall, according to Dr. Amalorpavanathan, is to improve the recognition and use of organs from brain-dead donors. He also stresses the need to include marginal donors, such as those aged between 60–70 who may have suffered a stroke. 'While these kidneys may not be ideal for younger patients, they can be life-saving for older recipients. Matching marginal donors with marginal recipients is a pragmatic step,' he says. Dr. Amalorpavanathan also emphasises the importance of initiating Donation After Cardiac Death (DCD) programmes in India. 'DCD is already practiced widely in countries like the U.K. and U.S.A. With proper systems in place, this could be a respectful and viable way of increasing organ availability,' he says. In DCD, organs are retrieved from patients who experience cardiac arrest in intensive care settings. Though medically complex, this method has been proven to extend donor pools significantly in other nations, he points out. The promise of kidney swaps When deceased donor kidneys are not available, living donors -- usually family members-- offer the next best option. However, India's legal restrictions on unrelated donors, meant to prevent commercial exploitation, often limit options for patients with incompatible relatives. Sunil Shroff, consultant urologist and transplant surgeon, cites the successful case of the first swap transplant in India the that led to NOTTO's decision to have a 'uniform one nation one swap transplant programme' . Dr. Shroff emphasis the potential of swap transplants (paired kidney exchanges). 'In March 2025, two incompatible donor-recipient pairs in Chhattisgarh were successfully matched through a swap programme,' he says. 'Both donors and recipients recovered well. If supported systematically, swap programmes could increase transplant numbers by 10 to 15 percent.' This approach is particularly useful for blood group or tissue match incompatibilities, where new drug therapies and plasma exchange can be costly, as Dr. Limish adds, 'With policy and institutional support, this model could be scaled nationally. Need to expand the donor pool Dr. Limesh stresses the urgent need to expand the donor pool. He suggests that increasing public awareness, encouraging families of brain-dead patients to consider donation, and using grief counselors to sensitively guide them can help bridge this gap. He highlights that transparency, empathy, and trust-building are essential, especially at the moment of loss. 'Ultimately, we need a combination of stronger public health measures to prevent kidney failure, improved policies that enable ethical donation, and sustained community education that fosters trust,' Dr. Limesh says. ' Policy, prevention, and awareness Solving India's transplant crisis also demands a multifaceted approach that addresses prevention, policy, and public awareness. A major step forward lies in strengthening public health systems to proactively manage and prevent conditions like diabetes and hypertension, which are leading causes of kidney failure. At the policy level, refining existing laws to encourage ethical and informed organ donations while safeguarding individuals from exploitation is crucial. Equally important is transforming public perception through sustained awareness campaigns that challenge cultural taboos and promote the importance of organ pledging. As Dr. Limish emphasises, 'Innovative approaches and continued public education are key to increasing the number of living and deceased donors. Only then can we offer a second chance to the growing number of Indians silently suffering from kidney failure.' (*Name changed to protect privacy)
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Business Standard
24-04-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Aiims Raipur conducts Chhattisgarh's first swap kidney transplant
The Aiims Raipur has successfully performed its first swap kidney transplant, making it the first among the newer Aiims institutions and the first government hospital in Chhattisgarh to carry out this complex and life-saving procedure. The Union Health ministry said swap kidney transplant, which is also known as Kidney Paired Transplant (KPT), can lead to a 15 per cent increase in the number of transplants. In a swap transplant, a patient with renal failure who has a willing living donor but is unable to receive the kidney due to an incompatible blood group or the presence of HLA antibodies can still undergo a transplant by exchanging donors with another incompatible pair. Through this arrangement, both recipients receive compatible kidneys, resulting in successful transplants for both pairs. In the case at Aiims Raipur, two male End Stage Renal Disease patients, aged 39 and 41 from Bilaspur, had been on dialysis for three years, the ministry said in a statement. Both were advised to undergo kidney respective wives came forward as living donors. However, due to blood group incompatibility direct donation was not possible. To overcome this challenge, the transplant team at Aiims Raipur coordinated a successful swap transplant, the statement said. Each donor gave her kidney to the other recipient, ensuring blood group compatibility and enabling both patients to receive life-saving organs. The surgery was conducted on March 15, and all four individuals -- both donors and recipients -- are currently recovering well under close observation in the Transplant ICU. Recognising its potential, the National Organisation and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has recommended for the implementation of Swap donor transplantation to all states and Union Territories as this option could increase the number of donors. The NOTTO has also decided to have a 'uniform one nation one swap transplant programme' to facilitate these transplants more effectively across the country, the statement said. Aiims Raipur has played a pivotal role in the development of organ transplant in Chhattisgarh. The institute has successfully developed a renal transplant program, encompassing both living and deceased donor transplants. Six deceased donors have donated their organs in last two years, the statement said. Aiims Raipur has also been first amongst the newer Aiims to start deceased donor organ donation and deceased donor kidney transplantation, it said. It is also the first in the state to start deceased donor paediatric kidney transplantation. To date, the institute has performed 54 kidney transplants with a graft survival rate of 95 per cent and patient survival rate of 97 per cent, reflecting its clinical excellence and commitment to high-quality patient care.
India Gazette
24-04-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
AIIMS Raipur successfully performs its first Swap Kidney Transplant
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 24 (ANI): All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur successfully performed its first Swap Kidney Transplant, also known as a Kidney Paired Transplant (KPT), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated. With this achievement, AIIMS Raipur becomes the first among the newer AIIMS institutions and the first government hospital in the state of Chhattisgarh to carry out this complex and life-saving procedure. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, this significant milestone underscores the institute's commitment to advancing healthcare and providing innovative treatment solutions for patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease. It is estimated that Swap Kidney Transplant leads to a 15 per cent increase in the number of transplants. Recognising its potential, the National Organisation and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has recommended for the implementation of Swap donor transplantation to all the states and Union Territories as this option could increase the number of donors, the Ministry said. NOTTO has also decided to have a 'uniform one nation one swap transplant programme' to facilitate these transplants more effectively across the country. According to the Ministry, in a Swap Transplant, a patient with renal failure who has a willing living donor, but is unable to receive the kidney due to an incompatible blood group or the presence of HLA antibodies, can still undergo a transplant by exchanging donors with another incompatible pair. Through this arrangement, both recipients receive compatible kidneys, resulting in successful transplants for both pairs. In the landmark case at AIIMS Raipur, two male ESRD patients, aged 39 and 41 from Bilaspur, had been on dialysis for three years. Both were advised to undergo kidney transplantation, and their respective wives came forward as living donors. However, due to blood group incompatibility - one pair having B+ and O+, and the other O+ and B+ - direct donation was not possible. To overcome this challenge, the transplant team at AIIMS Raipur coordinated a successful swap transplant. Each donor gave her kidney to the other recipient, ensuring blood group compatibility and enabling both patients to receive life-saving organs, it added. The surgery was conducted on March 15, and all four individuals - both donors and recipients - are currently recovering well under close observation in the Transplant ICU. This milestone reflects AIIMS Raipur's growing capabilities in advanced medical care and its commitment to providing innovative solutions for patients battling chronic kidney disease. The Swap Transplant team consisted of Dr Vinay Rathore (Transplant Physician); Dr Amit R Sharma, Dr Deepak Biswal and Dr Satyadeo Sharma (Transplant Surgeons); Dr Subrat Singha, Dr Mayank, Dr Jitendra and Dr Sarita Ramchandani (Anaethesiologists) and other Transplant Co-ordinator team members and OT and Transplant Nursing staff. AIIMS Raipur has played a pivotal role in the development of Organ Transplant in Chhattisgarh. The institute has successfully developed a renal transplant program, encompassing both living and deceased donor transplants. Six deceased donors have donated their organs in last two years. AIIMS Raipur has also been first amongst the newer AIIMS to start Deceased Donor Organ Donation and Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation. It is also the first in the state to start Deceased donor Paediatric Kidney Transplantation. To date, the institute has performed 54 kidney transplants with a graft survival rate of 95 per cent and a patient survival rate of 97 per cent, reflecting its clinical excellence and commitment to high-quality patient care. (ANI)
Mint
23-04-2025
- Health
- Mint
India plans Living Donors Protection Act on the lines of US to prevent exploitation
New Delhi: The Centre plans to amend the law and frame a Living Donation Protection Act on the lines of similar legislation in the US to prevent exploitation of living organ donors, an official from the National Organ Tissue and Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) said. Currently, there is no provision in the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA) on the rights of organ donors post-donation. The government is now trying to address the challenges faced by donors by including provisions such as health insurance, treatment, and financial security. A health ministry report on reforms required for augmentation of organ and tissue donation, and transplantation is terms of technology, processes and legislative reforms in India, highlighted 'the need a Living Donation Protection Act like the US. Partner with professional organizations, like the American Society of Transplantation (AST) or the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), to address insurance-related issues.' Dr Anil Kumar, Director, National Organ Tissue and Transplant Organization (NOTTO) said, 'A living organ donor is a healthy individual who donates his/her organ to the patient in need. For instance, if a donor donates one kidney, the donor's GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) reduces i.e. kidney filtration capacity. So post organ donation, the donor needs special care because his health is at risk and this is not a one time process, it need proper follow-up and donors health has to be taken proper care. As of now, there is no provision in the Act for the rights and protection of the living organ donor. Therefore, NOTTO has taken the recommendations of experts presented during a Chintan Shivir and is now acting upon it." As part of the plan, an Act will be proposed by making certain amendments in the THOTA to ensure the protection of the living organ donor, Dr Kumar said. Provisions are also being made to include several rights for living organ donors such health insurance, treatment, and financial security and prevent commercial involvement if any. 'This will also ensure that no one can forcefully push the living donor to donate the organ. It has to be voluntarily. Is he/she eligible to donate and what will be the economic consequences post donation,' he said. Notably, In India, health insurance policies cover life and disability but not living organ donation. 'The plan is also to make health insurance companies should provide suitable coverage for living donors as they huge problem getting insurance post donation. This needs to be addressed,' he said. In India, a living donor of 18 years or above can donate only a kidney or part of liver. To make it a transparent procedure, the government creates a unique NOTTO-ID for both donor and recipient, generated by the hospital from the NOTTO website. In case it is a living organ donation, the ID has to be generated within 48 hours of the transplant surgery. First Published: 23 Apr 2025, 09:55 PM IST
