NEWS –  The Union Health Ministry has released the first-ever SOPs for the transport of human organs

HIGHLIGHTS

– Aims to maximize utilization and streamline processes

– Guidelines cover air, road, railways, and waterways

Key Provisions

– Air Transport

    – Priority take-off and landing for flights carrying organs

    – Green corridors to be created for seamless road transport

    – Guidelines for organ transport by metro and other vehicles issued

– Road Transport

    – Green corridors to be provided for organ transport on request

    – Nodal officer from police department to handle issues related to green corridor creation

– Rail and Metro Transport

    – Priority transit for metro carrying live human organs

    – Security staff to escort clinical team carrying organ box

– Waterways Transport

    – Guidelines for transport of organs through ports via shipping issued

Development of SOPs

– Developed in consultation with NITI Aayog, concerned ministries, and transplant professionals

– Aim to ensure best practices and quality standards in organ transport

Importance of SOPs

– Transport of live solid organ is an extremely critical activity

– Limited shelf life of organs requires coordination between various agencies

– SOPs will help maximize utilization of precious organs and offer hope to patients awaiting transplants