The discussion was held during the private member’s resolution moved by independent legislator Vijai Sardesai who urged the government to implement the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, in response to the unanimous resolution passed by the house two decades ago.
“This is a unique cause and needs to be welcomed. I urge the government to facilitate all matters related to transplantation of organs including formation of committees at all levels and to build the necessary infrastructure, organ retrieval and transplantation centers,” Sardesai said informing the house about the organ donation initiative taken by several MLAs including BJP’s Subhash Phal Desai, Siddhart Kuncalienkar and Nilesh Cabral, Kamat, Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco and Sardesai himself.
While Kamat appealed to his colleagues to donate at least their eyes, if not all organs, BJP legislator Phal Desai informed the House about his decision to donate his organs. “I along with my friends have taken a decision to donate our organs after death. I have even informed my family about the same,” Naik said.
“It is actually a proud moment to see someone else, a needy person seeing the world through your eyes. Eye donation is something that everyone should take part in,” Kamat said.
Replying to the resolution, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Health Francis D’Souza said that government had already implemented the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, way back in 2009 and accordingly the facilities are made available in hospitals such as Goa Medical College and Hospital.
D’Souza assured the house to bring in Transplantation of Human Organ (amendment) Act 2011 in the next assembly session, as proposed and recommended by the Union government. “The amendment is done by the central government and we are currently studying the same,” he said. The resolution was withdrawn following the assurance.
