India to establish national registry for processed human bones

The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) in India is forming new guidelines for processing and storing human bones. The aim is to create a national registry of donors, recipients, and hospitals that offer these services. There is an increasing demand for natural bones for surgeries, especially for patients with bone cancer or severe injuries. Processed human bones are sterilized to lower infection risks and are necessary for surgery. Currently, many procedures use metal plates or rods, which can lead to complications like infections. Dr. Anil Kumar from NOTTO explained that there is a growing need for human bones since they are stronger and have fewer risks compared to artificial alternatives. Only a few hospitals in India have facilities for bone banking. Major hospitals, such as AIIMS and Apollo Hospital, are among them. Dr. Rajesh Malhotra, an orthopaedic surgeon, noted that donated bones come mostly from organ donors after death. Few live donors provide bones, as they are often obtained from amputations due to trauma. The cost of metal implants can be significant, making donated bones a more affordable option. However, awareness of bone donation is low in India, impacting the number of donations. The existing laws on organ donation do not adequately cover bone banking, which is necessary for improving the current system. Cultural and religious beliefs, as well as legal hurdles, hinder the popularity of organ and bone donation in India compared to the US and Europe. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, there are about 1-2 cases of bone cancer per 100,000 people each year in India.