The National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) has issued a directive to hospitals across India to prioritize the identification and certification of Brain Stem Death (BSD) cases. A notice to this effect dated April 2, 2024 was published recently.
The notice expounds that India faces a critical shortage of organs for transplantation. It records a donation rate below 1 per million population annually. Some of the key challenges include poor identification and certification of BSD cases.
Moreover, the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act,1994 mandates hospitals to identify potential BSD cases in ICUs and inform families about organ donation opportunities.
Action Required by Hospitals:
- Facilitate and monitor BSD case certification, ensuring compliance with the Act.
- Display information boards in the specified format in ICUs and other strategic locations to raise awareness about organ donation after BSD.
- Collect data on BSD cases using a standardized format provided by NOTTO.
- Analyze collected data and implement measures to maximize organ donation.
Submission of Data
- Heads of institutions and transplant coordinators (SOTTOs) must analyze data monthly and take corrective actions.
- SOTTOs must submit monthly data to NOTTO by the 7th of each month.
This initiative aims to bridge the gap between potential organ donors and those in need by streamlining BSD case identification and encouraging organ donation conversations with families.
