Organ donation: No more registration fees

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state health department's illegal 2013 order of imposing fees for registering with the Kerala Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (K SOTO), which coordinates organ donation in the state, has been revoked following a directive from the Union Health Ministry.

At the same time, there is no clarity on the refunding Rs 2 crore collected this way in the last 10 years. This money was spent for various purposes. If the registrants go to court demanding money, the government will be on the defensive. As per reports, deliberations have started at the highest level regarding the return of the money.

Up to Rs 5000 was charged as registration fee. The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTO), the national organ donation agency, had demanded its repeal as it was against the 2014 law. K SOTO did not accept the demand of organizations including the Kerala Liver Foundation to waive the registration fee. In addition to the state government's allocation, NOTO also provides funds for medical college hospitals to provide infrastructure for organ transplants. Transplant recipients should fund themselves. In this case no registration fee is required.

1035 surgeries have been performed since 2013 till now. More than 7500 people registered. Many of them died waiting for an organ.

Fees

#Kidney- Rs 2000

#Heart, liver, pancreas, lungs, hands, multiple organs - Rs.5000