Latest news with #StateOrganandTissueTransplantOrganisation
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
The urgent need to democratise India's heart transplant programme
Heart transplantation is a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage heart failure. While medical advancements have made it a viable long-term solution with high survival outcomes, access to this treatment remains uneven, particularly in east India. The path to democratising heart transplants lies not only in medical capability, but also in streamlining infrastructure, administrative processes, and public awareness. India's organ transplant system functions through a structured hierarchy - State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO), Regional ROTTOs, and the National NOTTO. This network is responsible for maintaining waiting lists, coordinating transplants, and matching organs to recipients. However, logistical and procedural barriers often limit the timely use of available organs, especially hearts, which must be transplanted within four hours of harvest. Challenges in retrieval and transport One of the major challenges is the retrieval and transportation of organs. Many hospitals have potential donors , but are not designated as Non-Transplant Organ Retrieval Centres (NTORCs), which means they cannot harvest organs or maintain potential donors. Combined with this is limited air connectivity in east India and long distances from hospitals to airports, creating significant delays in transporting donated hearts. While 'green corridors' created by police support ground transport, air travel infrastructure and emergency air evacuation systems need significant enhancement. The diagnosis of brain death, a prerequisite for organ donation, is itself another critical hurdle. Although protocols are well-established, delays can occur due to procedural complexities, limited training in some centres, and the sensitive nature of initiating conversations with families about organ donation. Misunderstanding the concept of brain death and the emotional toll on families often results in missed opportunities for donation. Public education and sensitive communication are essential to increase acceptance and consent for organ donation. Potential for growth Despite these systemic challenges, the potential for growth in India's transplant programme is promising. In 2023, over 1.7 lakh people lost their lives in road accidents, and many of these were potential organ donors. Yet, only 221 heart transplants were conducted nationwide, far below the estimated annual need of 50,000. Interestingly, surveys show that Indians display a high willingness to donate organs, highlighting a disconnect between public intent and systemic execution. Bridging this gap requires multi-level interventions - funding for less privileged patients, enhanced training for healthcare professionals, active recipient-donor registries, NTORC recognition for more hospitals, and expanded transport support, including air ambulances. Strengthening these links in the transplant chain can convert more potential donations into actual lifesaving procedures. The democratisation of heart transplantation is not a medical challenge; it is a logistical, administrative, and social one. With proven medical expertise and strong public support, India is well-positioned to expand access and equity in transplants. By investing in coordinated systems and infrastructure, every heartbeat lost can be turned into a second chance for another. (Dr. Lalit Kapoor is senior consultant, cardiac surgery, Narayana R.N. Tagore Hospital, Mukundapur, Kolkata. drlalitkapoor@
Time of India
04-08-2025
- Health
- Time of India
One organ donor can save up to nine lives: Tripura CM Saha
Agartala: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday emphasised the importance of organ donation as a life-saving humanitarian act , urging people to come forward and pledge their organs to save lives. The CM said this after flagging off the walkathon on the occasion of 15th Organ Donation Day at Amrakunja, Rabindra Satabarisiki Bhawan, Agartala today. "There can be no greater humanitarian service than saving another person's life through organ donation. One organ donor can save up to eight or nine lives, even after death, by donating vital organs like kidneys, liver, lungs, and heart," he said. CM Saha noted that while the concept of organ donation is gaining recognition, India still lags behind in comparison to several other countries due to a lack of public awareness and willingness to come forward. "We must work together to change this mindset and spread awareness at all levels," he added. The Chief Minister also highlighted the growing capabilities of Tripura's health infrastructure, stating that kidney transplants are now possible within the state. He further informed that the state government is taking steps toward enabling liver transplants , with the establishment of the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) in 2023 being a major milestone. Paying tribute to all organ donors and their families, CM Saha called them true heroes for their selfless contributions to humanity. Dr Shankar Chakraborty, Medical Superintendent of GBP Hospital, Health Secretary Kiran Gitte, and Dr Anup Kumar Saha, Principal of Agartala Government Medical College and others were present, as per the release. Earlier on July 31, Tripura CM attended a Blood Donation Camp and Vanamahotsav at Tripura Medical College (TMC) Hospital, Hapania in Agartala. Tripura CM also promoted community welfare by providing free Orthotics for Hip and Knee replacement patients and distributing spectacles to children under 14 years for a year as part of the program. This program was organised by TMC, Tripura Medical and Nursing College, and the Rotary Club of Agartala.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
State-level Organ Donation Day on Aug 1
Mangaluru: A state-level Indian Organ Donation Day will be observed at Yenepoya Medical College Auditorium, Deralakatte, on Aug 1. DHO Dr HR Thimmaiah said on Wednesday that the event will be inaugurated by health and family welfare minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. Assembly speaker UT Khader will preside, while minister for medical education and skill development Dr Sharanprakash R Patil will participate. The event is organised by the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) – Jeevan Sarthakathe—under the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare Services. As of July 30, Karnataka recorded 43,221 organ donation pledges. The Mangaluru division — comprising Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Davanagere, Chikkamagaluru, and Shivamogga — ranks fourth in the state, he said. Between 2017 and June 30, 2025, the state registered 979 organ donations, which include 1,481 kidneys, 812 livers, 251 hearts, 129 lungs, 25 kidney-pancreas pairs, 11 small intestines, 44 liver-kidney combinations, 396 heart valves, 1,494 corneas, 106 skin donations, and two hands. The Mangaluru division alone facilitated 141 organ donations since 2019. Dr Thimmaiah said that organs from brain-dead patients are retrieved at non-transplant organ retrieval centres (NTORC), established at trauma care and emergency units of govt medical colleges and district hospitals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Wenlock District Hospital is already a registered NTORC and facilitated successful organ donations. Plans are under way to form brain death declaration committees at all district hospitals and medical colleges. The govt, under Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST), fixed transplant package costs for BPL cardholders. Approved govt transplant centres include the Institute of Nephro-Urology (Bengaluru), KIMS (Hubballi), Jayadeva Institute (heart), and IGOT (liver).
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Govt constitutes panel for organ and tissue transplant programme
Vijayawada: The state govt constituted a steering committee for the smooth functioning of the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) and the implementation of various activities under the National Organ Transplant Programme (NOTP) guidelines. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This initiative aims to boost the donor transplant programme, with the director of medical education (DME) AP serving as its chairperson. Special chief secretary (Medical & Health) M T Krishna Babu issued a govt order (GO) RT No 452, constituting the steering committee with a chairperson and six members. Chief transplant coordinator (CTC) Jeevandhan, AP, was appointed as the committee's member secretary on Tuesday. The steering committee members include Nephrology and Urology professors from Kurnool and Andhra Medical Colleges, along with superintendents of AIIMS Mangalagiri and GGH Guntur. Additionally, the Government Pleader of the Health Medical and Family Welfare department, the Joint Director (Medical) office of DME, AP, and the Administrative Officer of Jeevandhan, AP, are also part of the committee.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Telangana to frame organ-specific transplant rules, eyes stricter monitoring and tissue matching rules
HYDERABAD: After the Telangana assembly recently adopted the central Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act of 1994, the state govt is now establishing additional regulations. A major focus is on having specific regulations for each type of organ to prevent exploitation, illegal activities and ensure that organs are accessible to ordinary individuals, stated sources Following the adoption of the central Act, a team of officials visited Tamil Nadu, AP, Gujarat, and Maharashtra to study their organ transplant rules. One of key considerations before officials is making tissue matching compulsory for kidney transplants. Kidney transplants were conducted solely on matching blood groups. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The state is also in the process of replacing its existing Jeevandan programme with the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation. Among all the states, officials found the regulations in Tamil Nadu suitable for Telangana as the govt there controls organ donations. It was also observed that though rules are good in Andhra Pradesh, monitoring was missing. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Explore opções de cruzeiros confortáveis concebidos para viajantes seniores Cruzeiros | Links Patrocinados Busque agora Undo Experts highlighted the "Andhra link" to many illegal organ rackets in Telangana, emphasising the need for stricter monitoring in Andhra Pradesh. One of the major considerations for Telangana in introducing these new rules is the preservation of markers for kidney recipients and donors. These markers are vital for the success of organ transplants. Tissue typing, or HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) typing, is an essential test in kidney transplantation that determines compatibility between the donor and recipient. It identifies specific proteins on cells that help the body distinguish between "self" and "non-self," playing a critical role in preventing organ rejection. By matching these antigens, doctors can assess the risk of rejection and select the most compatible donor-recipient pair, ensuring a successful transplant outcome. Authorities added that while this process is currently not being implemented, it could be introduced in the future.
