NOTTO’s 10-Point Plan Prioritises Women in Organ Transplants
India’s organ transplant system has seen a major policy update in 2025. The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) has issued a 10-point advisory to reduce gender disparity among transplant recipients. Women patients and relatives of deceased donors will now receive priority in organ allocation. This move aims to create a fairer and more transparent organ donation and transplantation process.
Recent Policy Changes
NOTTO’s advisory instructs states and Union Territories to give additional points in organ allocation to women on waiting lists. It also suggests prioritising near relatives of deceased donors who need transplants. The goal is to address longstanding gender imbalances in organ transplantation. The advisory calls for dignified funerals and public felicitation of deceased donors and their families to honour their contribution.
Allocation Criteria and Transparency
Current organ allocation follows criteria such as disease duration, waiting time, illness severity, and compatibility factors like blood group and size. NOTTO mandates a unique ID for every organ donor and recipient to ensure transparency. Data from all transplant centres must be submitted to a national digital registry. Non-compliance may lead to legal action under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994.
Infrastructure and Training Enhancements
The advisory urges states to establish permanent posts for transplant coordinators in hospitals performing organ transplants or retrievals. It also recommends developing organ retrieval facilities in trauma centres and medical colleges in phases. Training emergency responders and ambulance staff is emphasised to identify potential deceased donors early, especially among accident and stroke victims.
Public Awareness and Participation
Since launching an Aadhaar-based online pledge system in 2023, over 3.3 lakh citizens have committed to organ donation. In 2024, India recorded a historic high of 18,900 organ transplants, rise from fewer than 5,000 in 2013. The government plans to appoint state-level brand ambassadors to boost awareness and dispel myths surrounding organ donation.
Legal and Ethical Framework
The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994, governs organ donation in India. The new advisory strengthens enforcement by linking compliance with legal consequences. It also stresses the need for equity and dignity in the transplant process. The policy aims to balance medical urgency with social justice, ensuring organs reach those most in need while reducing bias.
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