Want to donate an organ for a “not-so-near” relative in dire need of a transplant? You might have to prove that the recipient and you have been staying together and sharing the same kitchen for 10 years or more. You have to also produce “old photographs showing the donor and the recipient together”. Under the draft of the Transplantation of Human Organ Rules, 2012, prepared by the health ministry in consultation with experts on August 30, an unrelated donor may also be interviewed along with his/her family member “regarding awareness about his or her intention to donate an organ, the authenticity of the link between the donor and the recipient and the reasons for donation”. The draft says any “strong views or disagreement or objection of such kin shall be taken note of”. The unrelated donor and the recipient might have to supply income statement for three years. “Any disparity between the status of the two must be evaluated with the objective of preventing commercial dealing,” the draft available with TOI said. LENGTHY PROCESS To donate an organ for a not-so-near relative, you have to prove that the recipient and you have been staying together and sharing the same kitchen for 10 years or more You have to also produce “old photographs showing the donor and the recipient together” An unrelated donor will be interviewed along with his or her family member to check if they are aware of the donor’s intentions Strong views or disagreement or objection of the kin shall be recorded and taken note of The unrelated donor and the recipient might also have to supply income statement for the previous three financial years A no-objection certificate from the health department will have to say the donor is of good moral character Drug addicts cannot donate organs Organ donors will have to prove they’re mentally fit New Delhi: The draft of the Transplantation of Human Organ Rules, 2012, of the health ministry says an organ donor will have to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to certify that he or she is not mentally challenged. The director general of health services Dr Jagdish Prasad chaired a meeting with experts on August 30 to finalize the new rules that gives a big push to harvest organs from brain dead patients. Dr Prasad said, “I am not happy with the recommendation that the recipient and the donor will have to share the same kitchen for 10 years or produce photos showing them together. We will change it. These recommendations will be put up before the public. It will take around two months before it is notified.” He added, “We are trying to make it easier for unrelated donors to donate organs like Singapore has done. However, we will ensure no commercial transactions take place for such organ donations.” Dr Ravindra Nath, chairman of Global hospitals and a liver transplant surgeon, said, “sharing the same kitchen or asking them to produce photographs to establish relationship are likely to be voted out when .the draft is vetted by the law ministry. It is not scientific.” The draft defines near relatives as persons related genetically “specifically grandmother, grandfather, mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, grandson and granddaughter above the age of 18 years”. (For full report, log on to www.timesofindia.com)