NEWS – Union government mandates Unique ID generation for organ donation

INTRODUCTION OF NOTTO-ID

• Unique Identification: Each organ transplant case (from living or deceased donors) is assigned a National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)-ID for both the donor and recipient.
• Generation Process: Hospitals generate NOTTO-ID through the NOTTO website (notto.mohfw.gov.in).

MANDATORY NOTTO-ID AND POST-TRANSPLANT MONITORING

Allocation Consideration and Compliance

• Deceased Donor Transplant: NOTTO-ID mandatory for organ allocation.
• Living Donor Transplant: NOTTO-ID must be generated within 48 hours post-transplant.
• Purpose: Ensure transparency and regulatory compliance in organ allocation and transplantation.

Union Health Ministry’s Directive to Eliminate Commercial Dealing

• Objective: Eliminate commercial dealings in organs, particularly those involving foreign citizens.
• Rationale: Address reports of malpractice and a rise in organ transplants concerning foreigners within India.

Stricter Monitoring and Investigation

• Directive to States and Union Territories: Implement stricter monitoring of organ transplants, especially those involving foreign nationals.
• Investigation Protocol: Appropriate Authorities under THOTA, 1994 to investigate transplants concerning foreign nationals, with action against violations.