National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)

GS II-Organisation

National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) is a national-level body under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It serves as the apex organization for implementing the National Organ Transplant Program (NOTP) and oversees activities as per the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994.

Objectives and Functions

• Establishes a structured system for organ procurement and distribution across India.
• Maintains a national registry of organ and tissue donors and recipients.
• Ensures coordination and networking for efficient organ and tissue transplantation.

Divisions of NOTTO

1. National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network
   • Functions as the apex coordination center for organ and tissue donation, procurement, and distribution across India.
   • Operates under the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act, 2011.
2. National Biomaterial Centre (National Tissue Bank)
   • Established to bridge the gap between demand and supply of tissues.
   • Ensures quality assurance and maintains standards in tissue donation and storage.
   • Operates as per the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act, 2011.

Key Activities of NOTTO

• Coordination for tissue procurement and distribution.
• Screening and storage of donor tissues.
• Preservation and laboratory testing of tissues.
• Ensuring sterilization and quality management.
• Tracking and maintaining records while ensuring data confidentiality.
• Development of guidelines, protocols, and standard procedures.
• Training and capacity building for medical professionals.

Assisting in the registration of tissue banks across India.