Thousands of individuals are enlisted as patients awaiting organ transplants, overseen by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO). In pursuit of a ‘One Nation, One Policy’ approach, the government has chosen to forego the necessity for local registration in various states and union territories. This move aims to streamline the process. Individuals in need of a Deceased Donor Organ for Transplant (DDOT) are now permitted to request organ transplantation from any registered transplant hospital. Upon making this request, the hospital will record it and forward it to the national registry. Subsequently, NOTTO will furnish each of these registered patients with a distinct identification number. However, the absence of precise information regarding the number of patients in need of transplants indeed reflects the challenging situation. This reality also underscores the complexity of organ transplantation within the country, despite it being the world’s most populous nation. The availability of donors remains limited, and only a few specialised hospitals equipped for transplantation. Unfortunately, this grim scenario contributes to the emergence of illegal organ transplants or the illicit trade of organs extracted without patient or family consent.
The recent establishment of a national registration system holds promise, ensuring that once an individual is registered, they can receive a transplant based on their assigned priority. Despite previous efforts to relax regulations, a considerable number of critically ill patients continue to struggle to secure transplants. While those with financial resources can explore easier options in other countries, economically disadvantaged individuals often find themselves with no recourse but to wait. It’s crucial to recognise that these patients must endure ongoing expenses for life-sustaining medications and hospitalisation. In light of these circumstances, it becomes imperative for the government to consider further easing regulations or potentially mandating organ donation in certain cases after consulting with the medical community. The situation calls for tangible and proactive measures to address these challenges comprehensively.
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