Can I agree to donate to a specific person and not to anyone else?
No. The recipient has to be on state waiting list for receiving organs. Organ donation is not accepted if it is conditional.

Is there any cost of donation to my family?
No, the cost is borne by the recipient's family.

How can I become a donor?
You can pledge your organs. Simply fill up and sign the Organ Donor Card that is attached. Please carry this card with you at all times as it helps your next of kin to consent.

Do I need to inform my family about my decision?
If you discuss your wish with your family beforehand they will be ready for the donation if the time comes and will be able to speed up the donation faster.

Does organ donation cause any delay in funeral arrangement?
No, if consent for organ / tissue donation is given, the surgery is done immediately and there is no interference with the customary funeral arrangement.

Can I change my mind about organ donation?
Yes, simply tear your organ donation card.

What is organ Donation?
Organ donation is the gift of an organ to a person who needs a transplant. It's a procedure in which a healthy organ is taken from an individual living/ deceased and transplanted into a person whose respective organ is malfunctioning.
Donated organs give the recipients the opportunity of a longer and better quality of life.

Why is Organ Donation required?
Sometimes people suffer from irreversible organ failure and the only way they can recover or lead a normal life is to receive an organ transplant.

Is it legal?
Yes it is legal. In India it is governed by the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (HOTA), 1994. This Act makes it mandatory for institutions conducting transplants to register with an authority appointed by the state government. Many safeguards against misuse have been built in the rules.

Which organs and tissues can be donated?
Organs that can be transplanted after death are Kidneys, Heart, Liver, Lungs, Pancreas, Small Bowel, Cornea. Tissues like Heart Valves, Bone and Skin can also be donated.

Will I be paid for donating an organ?
No, the law does not permit commercial dealing in human organs. It is a donation. Not a transaction.

Can I donate if I have a medical condition?
The medical condition of the donor will be assessed at the time of organ donation. HIV and Cancer are specific conditions which excludes people from donating.

Would there be an additional expense for donating organs?
No.

How can I be sure that the donated organs are safe and disease free?
All potential donors' blood is screened for ruling out transmitted diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis. The family of the potential donor is kept informed of this requisite procedure.

Who can be a live organ donor?
Anyone 18 years of age and above can be a donor. Parents or Guardians consent will be required for any individual below 18 years wishing to donate an organ.

Do I need to be dead to donate an organ or tissue?
No, Blood and Bone marrow may be donated by live donors. Partial Liver & Kidney donation is allowed by law for blood relatives of the recipient. For other organ donation, the person has to be pronounced 'brain dead'.

Are you sure I will be dead when they transplant my organs?
The Transplantation of Human Organs Act lays down criteria for determining brain stem death. The brain stem death tests must be performed by four authorized Doctors, none of whom has anything to do with the transplant, and this must be done twice, with a minimum gap of six hours. Such brain death can be declared only in institutions recognized by state appropriate authority.

Will the doctors just let me die if they know I will be donating my organs?
No. Your doctors will take the utmost efforts to save your life. This is their first duty. If despite their efforts, the patient dies, only then will the organs / tissues will be considered for donation. These doctors will not be involved with the organ transplantation, a complete different set of doctors will take over for the further procedures.

Can I donate if I die in an accident?
Yes, if you are taken to the hospital in time and that hospital has the facilities for organ transplantation and is registered with the state authority and you are in the ICU and declared brain dead.

Who will get my organs?
The recipient listed on a centralized state waiting list for receiving organs can only receive them. This registration is done at ZTCC (Zonal Transplant Co-ordination Centre).

Will the rich get priority in waiting list?
No, the recipient has to be on state waiting list for receiving organs. Clinical criteria like blood group, immunological status, and medical urgency are considered for the transplantation. There is no discrimination based on money, colour, race and religion.

Will my family know who gets my organs?
No, the details of the recipient are not revealed to the donors family.

Will the recipient know my name and details?
No, the details of the donors are not revealed to the recipient.

Are there any religious objections to organ transplants?
All religions in India consider organ donation as an Act of Charity and support it. Giving life is the highest form of donation.

Can I specify to donate any specific organ and not any others?
Yes, you can specify the same on your organ donation card.