SC Orders Uniform National Organ Transplant Policy to Ensure Equal Access for All

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In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has directed the Centre to establish a uniform national policy for organ transplantation, ensuring equal access to all recipients regardless of their background. The court has also called for a five-year plan to make such facilities available in public hospitals across the country. A bench of Chief Justice Bhushan R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran noted the disparities in medical facilities and adoption of rules under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 2011. The court emphasized the importance of a uniform national policy to secure the health of citizens. Key directives include: * Developing a uniform policy for organ registration, allocation criteria, and registry formats applicable nationwide. * Ensuring hospitals report organ donation and transplantation data to the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO). * Taking action against non-compliant hospitals. * Creating a national web portal to provide equal access to organ recipients, regardless of their social status, gender, or location. The court also expressed concern over reports of organ trafficking and directed states to adopt the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 2011, and its amendments. This ruling aims to bring transparency and equality to the organ transplantation process in India.