The Government of India has implemented various measures to educate and engage the public on the significance of organ donation. A press release on these initiatives was issued on December 8, 2023.
Key initiatives include the dissemination of information by the National Organ & Tissue Transplantation Organization (NOTTO), Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (ROTTOs), and State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organizations (SOTTOs). All of these organizations are established under the National Organ Transplant Program (NOTP).
As part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, organ donation is being promoted as a “Jan Andolan” or people’s movement through social media channels. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) has launched a pledge campaign and a slogan competition on the MyGov platform to encourage public participation.
Under the “Angdaan Mahotsav” initiated in July 2023, awareness programs focusing on deceased donor organ donation are being conducted nationwide. The Ministry organized the 1st National Webinar on organ and tissue donation in July 2023, addressing the prevention of kidney and liver failure, drawing participation from thousands of medical professionals.
To provide information, tele-counseling, and coordination for organ donation, a dedicated website is operational. This is accompanied by a 24×7 call center with a toll-free helpline number (1800114770).
Various awareness activities, including Indian Organ Donation Day celebrations, seminars, workshops, debates, sports events, walkathons, marathons, nukkad natak (street plays), and NOTTO Scientific Dialogue 2023, are being organized. Hospitals strategically display organ donation information boards, and awareness is spread through print and electronic media, including audio-visual messages on social media.
Efforts extend to educating school children through regular programs, competitions like poster-making, and conducting pledge campaigns and slogan competitions on the MyGov platform.
Under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) scheme, the Ministry has included the kidney transplantation package. Financial support up to Rs. 15 lakh is also provided under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) for patients below the poverty line undergoing heart, lung, liver, kidney, and other organ transplantations.
The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994, mandates the appointment of an Appropriate Authority in each State/UT to investigate complaints or breaches of the Act. While health and law & order are state subjects, the responsibility lies with the States and UTs to take action against unscrupulous operators involved in organ trafficking.
