Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has issued a notice to union government in connection with a public interest litigation seeking the setting up of State Organ Transplantation Organisation (SOTTO) in the State, as its absence has resulted in losing out on opportunities of life saving organ and tissue transplantation.
Petitioner Mango Foundation had approached the court to direct the State and Central governments to notify Goa Medical College as SOTTO with a criteria based transparent waiting lists for organs and linking it to the Regional and State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO), Western Region and National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO). It also sought designated organ and tissue retrieval teams in each District, a dedicated website linked to the websites of ROTTO and NOTTO for organ procurement, sharing and transplantation and most importantly registering patients.
The petitioner also sought directions to the Health Secretary, Goa Government to procure with immediate effect the necessary cross-matching facility and other equipment necessary to facilitate organ and tissue transplantation and make the same available with GMC and to also directed the government to strictly ensure that qualifications are strictly adhered to by registered entities/hospitals under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA) Act.
When the matter came up for hearing on Friday, the division bench of Justices N M Jamdar and Prithviraj K Chawan issued notice to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Union of Government seeking a reply on various components such as establishment of a Competent Authority in the State; establishment of an authority for removal of human organs or tissues; registration of medical practitioner of hospitals having Intensive Care Unit facility; methodology for removal of organs or tissues; etc. The matter was then adjourned to December 4 when the Centre is expected to submit its response.
Advocate Wilbur Menezes, appearing for the petitioner said the delay is reportedly from the Central government. “It appears that the Government of Goa has sent its proposal to Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for notification of SOTTO, albeit late, however now the Union Ministry Health and Family Welfare seems to be dragging its feet.”
