NOTTO wants women prioritised in allocation of deceased donor organs

NEW DELHI: The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation ( NOTTO ) has suggested prioritising women in allocation of deceased donor organs .

In a letter to the states/UTs, the apex authority for regulating organ donations and transplants in the country, has said a provision should be made to mark additional points for women recipients of donor organs, to address gender disparity. Studies have shown that while women make up a large percentage of donors, they receive fewer organs than men. "Women are equally vulnerable when it comes to end-stage organ failure due to illness, and it is important that organs are available for conducting a transplant - either through a living donor or deceased donor - for them," NOTTO director Dr Anil Kumar told TOI recently.

NOTTO's letter sent on Aug 2, the eve of Organ Donation Day, called for additional measures like ensuring that deceased donors get a dignified funeral. Many states have mandated that the district magistrate concerned, or another senior official attend the funeral. The NOTTO directive suggests prioritising relatives of a deceased donor in allocation of organs should they require it.

As per the annual report on organ donations in India in 2024-25, released on eve of Organ Donation Day, India carried out close to 19,000 organ transplants in 2024-25. Of these, 3,403 (17%) transplants were performed using organs retrieved from deceased donors or persons declared brain-dead.