Lok Sabha Parliamentary Q & A on Organ Donation & Transplantation

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1562

ANSWERED ON 15.07.2009

ORGAN DONATION

1562. Shri ANANDRAO VITHOBA ADSUL

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Union Government proposes to provide free second class railway pass and health insurance cover to persons who consent to donate their organs;

(b) if so, whether the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has consulted the Ministry of Railways in this regard;

(c) if so, the response of the Ministry of Railways thereon;

(d) whether the Union Government has mooted a lucrative proposal to promote cadaver organ donations under the National Organ Transplant Programme;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the steps taken by the Union Government to simplify organ donation and make it more transparent?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) to (f) The Honorable High Court of Delhi in CWP No. 813/2004 vide its order dated 06.09.2004 had set up a Committee to examine the provisions of Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 and the Transplantation of Human Organs Rules, 1995. The report was submitted on 25.5.2005. A National Consultation was held on 18.5.2007 and the report was submitted in the second fortnight of August, 2007. Thereafter, a meeting was conducted by HFM on 18th September, 2007. Taken into consideration the recommendations of the Committee set up by the Delhi High Court & the recommendations emerging from the National Consultation, it was decided to amend the Transplantation of Human Organs 1994 and to launch a national programme for promoting organ donation. It was also decided that certain incentives need to be introduced to promote cadaver donations. The recommended incentives are:-

(1) Comprehensive health care scheme may be evolved by the Government.

(2) Lifelong free renal/liver checkup, follow-up and care in hospital, (including its other branches, if any), where organ donation has taken place.

(3) To secure the donor against mortality risk due to organ donation related reasons, a customized Life Insurance policy of Rs. 2 Lakhs for 3 years with one time premium to be paid by Recipient.

(4) Certificate of appreciation to all live donors by State/local Government with an identity card endorsing his eligibility to obtain and avail various benefits recommended here. The card should prominently display a slogan such as “Thank you for saving a life”.

(5) Compensation for any expenses / loss of income incurred as specified in Section 2 (k) of the THOA Act.

(6) 50% concession on fare in 2nd Class by Indian Railways for the spouse or one child or parent(s) of the cadaver donor.

Ministry of Railway has been requested to consider the incentive of concession in 2nd class by Indian Railways for the spouse or one child or parents of the cadaver donor.