The National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) has released new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to streamline and expedite the transport of live human organs across the country. These SOPs were published on August 5, 2024.
The SOPs aim to ensure the safe and efficient transfer of organs for transplantation. They broadly cover the transport/ transfer of organs by following modes:
- Air
- Ambulance/ Other vehicles
- Defence
- Metro
- Road/ Highways
- Trains
- Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Key Provisions of the SOPs
Organ Packaging and Handling
Strict guidelines have been outlined for packaging and handling organ boxes, including specifications for containers, labeling, and security measures.
Screening and Security
The SOPs provide for expedited security screening of organ boxes and accompanying medical personnel.
Post-Mortem Procedures
Clear guidelines have been established for post-mortem procedures in cases involving deceased organ donors.
Accompanying Medical Personnel Responsibilities
The guidelines also provide detailed responsibilities for medical personnel accompanying the organs during transportation. These include documentation such as identity documents of the personnel, travel documentation and documentation pertaining to the organs. Additionally, a certificate as per the format should also be borne by the personnel with signature, full name, designation & office seal of the Competent Authority of Hospital/ Medical Institution as may be prescribed.
These new guidelines are expected to significantly improve the success rate of organ transplantation by reducing transport time and ensuring the safety of organs during transit.
The NITI Ayog and NOTTO have collaborated with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to develop these SOPs, which are aimed at saving lives and promoting organ donation.
