Govt launches national registry on organ and tissue

New Delhi, Nov 27: Union Health Minister J P Nadda today said that the health ministry has decided to impart training in organ and tissue transplantation at all government hospitals even as he acknowledged a "delay" in promoting organ donation by the government.

"There has been a delay on the government side towards promoting organ donation, but the decisions we have taken in the last one year will make this cause a meaningful activity.

"We have decided to train the paramedics in government hospitals in organ and tissue transplantation and sensitise them about organ donation, so that they can further pitch the issue in the society," he said.

Speaking after launching the 'National Organ and Tissue Transplantation Registry' at the 6th Indian Organ Donation Day at Vigyan Bhawan here, the Union Minister said that the government will monitor the number of organ donations in the hospitals in each state through the registry.

Stating that the government has taken initiatives to increase the number of organ donations in the country, including opening organ transplant facilities in all major state-run hospitals, Nadda urged people to voluntarily take part in organ donation.

He also urged NGOs and voluntary organisations to come forward and work with the health ministry as the issue could not be handled by the government alone.

Several organ donors and their families from across the country were awarded on the occasion. According to the government data, India needs around 2 lakh kidney donations every year, however, only 7,000-8,000 requirements are met.

Over 2.5 lakh people in the country require organ transplantation in a year, but less than 10 per cent get timely help, the data added.

PTI