Why in news?
Organ donation and transplantation have been in focus due to recent awareness campaigns and the rising number of people waiting for transplants. Understanding the role of NOTTO helps explain how India organises this complex activity.
Structure and mandate
- Apex body: NOTTO is a national level organisation under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It coordinates organ and tissue donation and transplantation across India.
- Networking: The organisation maintains a National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network. It links to Regional (ROTTO) and State (SOTTO) level centres to ensure equitable distribution.
- Legal backing: Its functions derive from the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act 1994, which regulates removal, storage and transplantation of organs.
Functions
- Framing policies and standard operating procedures for donor registration, organ allocation and transplantation.
- Maintaining waiting lists and allocating organs fairly based on medical criteria.
- Creating awareness about cadaveric organ donation and encouraging voluntary pledges.
- Training medical professionals and supporting State governments in setting up transplant centres.
Challenges and importance
India’s organ donation rate is far below global averages. Many patients die while waiting for kidneys, livers or hearts. NOTTO plays a crucial role in building trust by ensuring transparency and accountability in the allocation process. Greater awareness, streamlined paperwork and improved hospital infrastructure are needed to increase donations and save lives.