Gangtok, September 9 (IPR): Minister for Health and Family Welfare Department, AYUSH and Culture Departments, Mr GT Dhungel, inaugurated the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO), Sikkim Office, on the Ground Floor of the MS Building, STNM Hospital, Sochakgang, today.
The programme was attended by Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, Mr Tshewang Gyachho, Principal Director (I), Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr Pema Seden, Medical Superintendent, STNM Hospital, Dr Ruth Yonzon, PCC-cum-State Nodal Officer, State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO), Dr Chintamani Sharma, Director-cum-Chief Consultant, SOTTO, Dr C K Nepal, along with officers of the Health and Family Welfare Department, doctors and nurses.
On the occasion, Mr GT Dhungel also flagged off a dedicated ambulance for SOTTO, Sikkim. The ambulance will provide logistical support for organ and tissue donation and transplantation-related activities, including transportation requirements associated with such services in the State.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr GT Dhungel appreciated the doctors, nurses, technicians, administrators and officers of the Health and Family Welfare Department for their dedication and commitment towards strengthening transplantation services in Sikkim. He also acknowledged the support and encouragement extended by Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang towards the initiative.
Mr GT Dhungel said that the establishment of the SOTTO office would create a dedicated mechanism for coordination with the Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO) and the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) at the regional and national levels. He stated that the office would facilitate systematic maintenance of records relating to donors and recipients, including cases of brain-stem death, and enable such cases to be assessed by specialists and medical professionals for possible organ donation in accordance with prescribed protocols.
He emphasised the importance of transparency, proper documentation and effective coordination in the transplantation system. He said that systematic records of patients on the waiting list and potential donors would be essential. He also stressed the need to uphold medical ethics and ensure fairness and justice in organ allocation, with transplantation decisions taken in accordance with established provisions and without discrimination.
The Minister further emphasised strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures and established protocols, stating that this would help strengthen the confidence of both organ donors and recipients.
Referring to the establishment of the SOTTO office at a government hospital in the State, Minister Mr GT Dhungel described it as an important achievement for Sikkim. He credited the doctors, nurses, specialists, technicians, administrators and other healthcare personnel for their collective contribution towards strengthening the health sector.
Highlighting the recent successful transplant procedures, he said that the positive outcomes reflected the expertise, capability and dedication of the medical team. He emphasised that the achievement was a collective accomplishment involving doctors, nurses, operating technicians and other healthcare personnel.
The Minister said that the successful transplant procedures marked an important step towards strengthening transplantation services in the State and expressed hope that the initiative would gradually expand across Sikkim. He said that patients, donors and recipients across the State should be able to benefit from the strengthened system and access transplantation-related services with greater confidence.
Mr GT Dhungel expressed confidence that with proper coordination, discipline and adherence to established systems, organ and tissue transplantation services could be further strengthened and expanded across Sikkim.
PCC-cum-State Nodal Officer, SOTTO, Dr Chintamani Sharma, said that the organisation would undertake awareness activities on organ and tissue donation, with particular emphasis on deceased organ donation. He said that SOTTO would create awareness about brain-stem death and the importance of organ donation following brain-stem death, in accordance with the prescribed protocols.
Dr Chintamani Sharma stated that SOTTO would maintain the State-level registry of organ and tissue donation and transplantation and facilitate networking with the wider national transplantation system. He added that the organisation would coordinate with ROTTO and NOTTO for the effective implementation of organ and tissue donation and transplantation activities.
He further stated that SOTTO would facilitate coordination among hospitals, medical institutions and the transplantation process and support awareness and outreach programmes to encourage voluntary organ donation and improve public understanding of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
The establishment of the SOTTO office is expected to provide a structured institutional framework for organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Sikkim, while the dedicated ambulance will strengthen the operational and logistical support required for such activities in the State.