The Union Health Ministry has introduced Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the seamless transport of human organs across various modes of travel, including air, road, railways, and waterways. This initiative aims to streamline the organ transport process to maximize the utilization of precious organs and offer hope to patients awaiting life-saving transplants.
Purpose of SOPs
The SOPs serve as a guiding document for those involved in organ transplants nationwide, ensuring adherence to best practices and quality standards. According to Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra, these SOPs are designed to improve the efficiency and safety of organ retrieval and transplant procedures.
Organ Transport by Air
- Priority Procedures: Airlines can request priority take-off and landing from Air Traffic Control and arrange for front-row seats. They may also request late check-in for medical personnel.
- Communication: The source airport must inform the destination airport to facilitate the arrival process.
- In-Flight Announcement: Flight captains may announce the transport of human organs.
- Arrival Procedures: Trolleys should be arranged for moving the organ box from the aircraft to the ambulance. If the ambulance can access the runway, airline crew can assist with the transfer.
- Green Corridor: A “green corridor” should be defined to ensure unobstructed transport from the airport to the destination.
Organ Transport by Ambulance and Vehicles
- Green Corridor: A green corridor may be created on request from authorities like NOTTO/ROTTO/SOTTO to facilitate organ transport.
- Security Measures: A nodal officer from the police department can be appointed to handle issues related to the green corridor.
Organ Transport by Metro
- Priority Transit: Metro Traffic Control should prioritize transit for metros carrying live human organs.
- Escorting and Security: Metro security staff should escort the clinical team and ensure a designated area for the organ box. The Security Hold Area (SHA) should be informed to avoid delays in security checks.
Guidelines for Organ Transport
- Orientation and Safety: The organ box must be kept upright and secured with a seat belt. Labels indicating “handle with care” should be placed on the box.
- Coordination: SOPs have been developed in consultation with NITI Aayog, concerned ministries, and transplant professionals.
Challenges and Importance
Dr. Anil Kumar, Director of National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), highlighted the critical nature of live organ transport due to the limited shelf life of organs and the need for coordination between various agencies. The transport of organs is a challenge under the National Organ Transplant Program.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the main purpose of the SOPs introduced by the Union Health Ministry?
- A) To increase the number of organ donors
- B) To streamline the transport of human organs
- C) To reduce the cost of organ transplants
- D) To expand the number of transplant hospitals
- Which mode of transport allows for priority take-off and landing as per the SOPs?
- A) Road
- B) Railways
- C) Air
- D) Waterways
- What should be arranged for moving the organ box from the aircraft to the ambulance upon arrival?
- A) A specialized vehicle
- B) A green corridor
- C) Trolleys
- D) A medical team
- Who is responsible for handling issues related to the creation of green corridors for organ transport?
- A) Metro security staff
- B) A nodal officer from the police department
- C) Airline crew
- D) State traffic police
- What label should be placed on the organ box during transport?
- A) “Fragile”
- B) “Do not drop”
- C) “Handle with care”
- D) “Perishable”