Central Government Employees to Receive Extended Leave for Organ Donation

Central Government employees can now avail up to 42 days of Special Casual Leave for organ donation, regardless of the type of organ donated. The leave should ideally be taken in one continuous stretch, starting from the day of hospital admission. However, it can begin up to one week prior to the surgery if recommended by a government-registered medical practitioner.

NOTTO Warns Against Misusing Organ Donation for Misleading Social Media Content

The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has issued a notice urging the public to refrain from using the cause of organ and cornea donation for creating misleading or satirical content on social media. NOTTO stressed that organ and cornea donation is a selfless and life-transforming act. Using this sensitive subject for mockery or sarcasm can undermine the courageous decision of donors and their families.

NOTTO Publishes Awareness Leaflet On Organ And Tissue Donation

The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), a government body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has published a leaflet to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation in India. It clarifies the difference between living and deceased organ donation, as well as the types of organs and tissues that can be donated.

NOTTO Urges Hospitals to Create Permanent Transplant Coordinator Positions

NOTTO has urged states and hospitals to create permanent positions for transplant coordinators based on their workload by the next financial year. The NOTTO has observed a lack of initiative from states and institutions to create permanent positions for transplant coordinators. Therefore, starting from the next financial year (2025-26), hospitals exceeding the five-year support period under NOTP will no longer receive funding for transplant coordinators.

Kerala High Court Exposes Transplant System Flaws In The State

The Kerala High Court has passed a judgment directing the State Government to constitute Hospital Based Committees and ensure induction of knowledgeable members in transplant committees. It has also stated that the absence of photographs featuring the donor and recipient cannot also be the reason for negativing the donor’s version that he had volunteered to donate his organ out of love and affection.

NOTTO Publishes Organ Transport SOPs – 2024 

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. The SOPs aim to ensure the safe and efficient transfer of organs for transplantation.

New Hand Transplant Registry System on NOTTO Web Portal

The National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) has announced the registration for hand transplant recipients on its web portal. OTTO has authorized hand transplant centers and hospitals to register hand transplant recipients under the “BONE” category within the tissue section.

Government Enhances Recognition for Deceased Organ Donors and Families

In addition to the funeral assistance, the MoHFW has authorized a felicitation ceremony for deceased organ donors and their families. This involves presenting a shawl, certificate with frame, and flowers to the deceased donor’s family member(s) at the time of donation. The maximum cost per donor is Rs. 1,000.

Indian Organ Donation Day To Be Celebrated On August 3, 2024

The Government of India is launching a major campaign, “Angdaan Jan Jagrukta Abhiyaan” (Mass Awareness Campaign on Organ Donation), to promote organ donation and bridge the gap between those needing transplants and available donors. All Central Government Ministries, hospitals, and medical colleges (both public and private) are urged to organize activities during the July campaign month and on August 3rd, 2024.

India Sees Rise in Medical Tourism for Organ Transplants

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare anticipates a further rise in foreign patients seeking organ transplants in India. To address this influx, the Ministry has created informative messages and visuals specifically for foreign nationals on guidelines and legal requirements for organ transplants.