NOTTO advisory aims to address gender imbalance in organ transplantation, prioritizing women and donors' relatives
The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) has issued an advisory to address the gender imbalance in organ transplantation, prioritizing women patients and relatives of deceased donors. This move comes as NOTTO's data shows women, despite being significant living donors, are underrepresented as organ recipients. The advisory aims to provide additional points in allocation criteria for women. However, concerns exist regarding procedural hassles and potential misuse, as current protocols do not allow for prioritization based on gender, only health. The article emphasizes the need for proper implementation under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act and ensuring that the greatest need, based on health parameters, remains the primary principle.
Key Points
- NOTTO's advisory seeks to correct gender disparity in organ transplantation by prioritizing women and relatives of deceased donors.
- Data indicates women are underrepresented as organ recipients despite being major living donors.
- Concerns exist about procedural challenges and potential for out-of-turn allotments, given current protocols prioritize health over other factors.
- Proper implementation under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act is crucial, ensuring the principle of greatest medical need is upheld.
Exam Facts
- The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) issued the advisory.
- NOTTO's decadal data (2013-23) shows women constituted 63% of living donor transplants but only 37% of kidney recipients and 30% of liver recipients in 2023.
- The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994, governs organ donation in India.
- World Organ Donation Day is observed on August 13 every year.
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