National Policy for Organ Transplantation
Why in news?
The Supreme Court of India has directed the Centre to frame a uniform National Policy for Organ Transplantation to address wide disparities and inconsistencies across states in organ donation and allocation.
Directions by Supreme Court
- Establish State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisations (SOTOs) in all states, including those lacking them (e.g., Manipur, Nagaland).
- Evolve model allocation criteria to prevent gender- and caste-based discrimination.
- Amend birth and death registration forms to include brain death certification and organ donation offer status.
- Provide guidelines to protect live organ donors from exploitation and ensure their post-donation care.
- Create an equitable, transparent, and efficient organ transplantation system.
- Ensure fair access to organ transplantation irrespective of gender, caste, or state.
- Prevent exploitation of live donors.
- Facilitate comprehensive brain death certification and organ donation counselling.
- Strengthen the organ transplantation infrastructure nationwide.
