Health Ministry revises COVID-19 testing norms for organ transplants

Published On 2025-11-12 11:04 GMT | Update On 2025-11-12 11:04 GMT

Organ Transplantation

New Delhi: To make organ transplantation more efficient and reduce unnecessary wastage of donated organs, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced that uniform COVID-19 testing will no longer be mandatory for asymptomatic donors and recipients.

However, the COVID-19 RT-PCR test will remain compulsory for lung transplantation cases, even for asymptomatic individuals, as the infection primarily affects the lungs. The decision was announced on Tuesday following recommendations from the apex technical committee of the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO).

For symptomatic donors or recipients, the decision to test for COVID-19 will rest with the treating physicians based on clinical assessment.

Also Read:Health Ministry amends corneal transplantation rules, benefits smaller eye centres

Experts pointed out that in the past, organs from asymptomatic donors were frequently discarded after positive COVID-19 reports, resulting in a loss of valuable organs and tissues that could have saved lives or improved the quality of life for patients in need.

While the organ donation rate in India continued to be very low, the waiting period for the COVID-19 testing report sometimes delayed the deceased donor organ allocation for transplantation. COVID-19 vaccine status of donor or recipient had not impacted the outcome of transplant, and vaccination was not being implemented under the government programme, a note sent to Health Secretaries of all States/Union Territories said, reports the Hindu.

As of now, the incidence of COVID-19 cases has significantly declined across the country. These new guidelines will be reviewed and updated from time to time, depending on the prevailing COVID-19 situation.

Also Read:ESIC Hospital Hyderabad performs first in-house cadaver organ retrieval

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that one patient of ESIC Sanatnagar, Hyderabad, saved 3 other patients' lives. ESIC Super Speciality Hospital, Sanathnagar, achieved a landmark feat in the field of medical science and organ transplantation.

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Rumela De Sarkar

With a keen interest in storytelling and a dedication to uncovering facts, Rumela De Sarkar joined Medical Dialogues as a Correspondent in 2024. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of North Bengal. Rumela covers a wide range of healthcare topics, including medical news, policy updates, and developments related to doctors, hospitals, and medical education

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Health Ministry revises COVID-19 testing norms for organ transplants

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