Emedinews:Insights on Medicolegal Issues:Facilitate cadaver organ retrieval for transplantation

In India, certain amendments to the Human Organ Transplant Act 1994 are required to enhance cadaver organ retrieval and transplantation to bridge the huge demand–supply gap. The pool of donors, including increasing the supply of organs by widening the definition of ‘near relatives’ by allowing organ swaps among needy families, as well as, simplifying cadaver transplant procedures. The paired matching should be permitted i.e. if patient A’s donor does not match A, and likewise for patient B, then donor switch should be allowed, if it results in a match. Swaps or exchanges between families unable to fulfill the need of their family member in need of a transplant.