Emerging Healthcare in India – Encounters and Prologues (Part-II)

Given the mafia has been active in the organ donations drive the Government of India has brought (THOA) Transplantation of Human Organs Act 1994 was enacted to provide a system of removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs for therapeutic purposes and the prevention of commercial dealings in human organs.  THOA is now adopted by all states except Andhra and J&K, which have similar laws. The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA) of 1994 regulates organ donation and transplantation in India.  The law covers the fact that living donors can be immediate blood relatives, such as parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren.  A spouse can also be a living donor.  Living non-relative donors can donate for special reasons or out of affection for the recipient.  Foreign donors and recipients require prior approval from the Authorization Committee. The Organs can come from living donors or cadavers (after cardiac or brain stem death). This law prohibits commercial dealings in human organs or tissues. The law provides penalties for commercial dealings in human organs, which apply to both donors and recipients.

In the state of Andhra Pradesh the Andhra Pradesh Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1995 regulates the removal, storage, and transplantation of human organs for therapeutic purposes. The act also prevents commercial dealings in human organs. Some of the key aspects of the act include the consent form 6 of the A.P. Transplantation of Human Organs Rules, 1995 must be signed by the person(s) in possession of the brain-dead patient before organ retrieval. For children, form-9 of the Transplantation of Human Organs Rules, 1995 must be signed by the concerned persons before organ retrieval under 18 years of age.

Jeevandan: This scheme was proposed by the Cadaver Transplantation Advisory Committee (CTAC) to address issues related to organ transplantation. The Appropriate Authority for Cadaver Transplantation (AACT) is the legal entity authorized to act under the APTHOA 1995.  The Andhra Pradesh transplantation of human Organs act, 1995 – Act No.24 OF 1995.

One tissue donor, someone who can donate bone, tendons, cartilage, connective tissue, skin, corneas, sclera, and heart valves and vessels – can save the lives of as many as 75 people.  Today, India has greater awareness about organ donation and doctors say more families are coming forward for this noble cause. Recent data from the Ministry of Health shows that the largest number of deceased organ donors were from Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.  Regular alertness and awareness campaigns should be organized in urban, rural, and tribal as well on the importance of organ donation.

Emerging Challenges:  The other challenges are Healthcare systems, Mental health, substance abuse, Infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, malnutrition, food safety, Sexual health, Reproductive health, Environmental pollution, climate change, prevention of Cancer, diabetes, Heart attacks, and stroke.

The most common Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in India are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases, which are caused by factors such as unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and the harmful use of alcohol.

Food Safety:  Despite the Food Safety Department in Andhra Pradesh having been conducting regular quality tests and organizing programs like “Eat Right Schools” and “Clean Food Hubs”, contaminated food continues to cause morbidity and mortality at several eating centers. The clean Hands Save Lives concept has to be implemented strictly by everyone. Washing hands with soap for 20 seconds after using the toilet and before eating tiffin or meals would prevent many diseases like Typhoid, Jaundice, Gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, Swine flu, Corona, and Monkeypox, etc., The food safety department has also been taking action against those who use banned items like synthetic food colors and reused cooking oil.

However, food safety has been a worry currently in hostels, hospitals, and fast food centers.  After having a meal three children died and 74 children became ill after suspected food poisoning at a hostel run by the Parisundhatma Agni Stuthi Aradhana Trust (PASA Trust), in Kailasapatnam village of Kotavuratla Mandal of Narsipatnam Revenue Division of Anakapalli district. The deceased included two girls and one boy.

The Human Rights Management Initiative finds that India is fulfilling 80.5% of what it should be fulfilling for the right to health based on its income level. When looking at the right to health concerning children, India achieves 92.1% of what is expected based on its current income. In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves only 85.6% of what is expected based on the nation’s level of income, whereas the right to reproductive health is around 63.7%. (To be concluded).