State to get organ, tissue transplant organisation

Chandigarh, October 15

Cognisant of the need to promote and regulate organ transplant in the state, the Department of Medical Education and Research is to establish state organ and tissue transplant organisation with an organ retrieval centre each at Government Medical Colleges, Amritsar and Patiala. This was stated by OP Soni, Minister for Medical Education and Research.

He said there was shortage of human organs for saving the lives of a those suffering from end-stage organ failure. Therefore, to promote cadaver organ donation, the organ retrieval and transplantation infrastructure is being developed in the state.

He said the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) was being set up under the National Organ Transplant Programme. This Centre-funded project entails expense to the tune of Rs 33 lakh as initial one-time setting up cost of SOTTO, Rs 38 lakh as the recurring expenses for manpower and Rs 25 lakh each for the organ retrieval centres at Amritsar and Patiala. — TNS