NOTTO
– SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NEWS: Recently,
the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) issued
key initiatives regarding cornea and tissue transplants.
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
New Initiatives
Centralized Database Development
- NOTTO (National Organ and Tissue Transplant
Organization) is actively developing a centralized database to effectively
manage and streamline the process for patients waiting for cornea and
other tissue transplants across India.
Mandatory Data Linkage
- A significant policy mandate requires all organ
transplant centers, cornea transplant centers, and tissue banks to
integrate their data with NOTTO’s national registry. This linkage aims to
facilitate better coordination and ensure real-time data availability.
Regulations for Eye Banks
- Eye banks are now required to adhere to
stringent performance metrics. Specifically, they must collect a minimum
of 50 eyes or 100 corneas annually to ensure a steady supply for
transplants.
- According to the Transplantation of Human
Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 (THOTA), eye banks need to collect at least
500 corneas over a five-year period to maintain their certification and
operational status.
Presumed Consent Model for Cornea Donation
- In an effort to augment cornea donation rates,
NOTTO is considering implementing a presumed consent (opt-out) model.
Under this system, individuals who pass away in hospitals will be presumed
as cornea donors unless they had previously opted out, significantly
increasing the potential donor pool.
NOTTO
- As the apex body under the Directorate General
of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NOTTO oversees
and monitors all organ and tissue transplant activities, ensuring
compliance with laws and regulations while promoting best practices in
transplant services across the country.
Source: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2024/Oct/19/prompt-political-dispensation-has-always-played-a-major-role-in-etching-tamil-nadus-success-story