The Network of National Focal Points on Travel for Transplantation (NETTA) is an official initiative co-ordinated by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) of the Council of Europe. Established in 2016, NETTA supports the systematic monitoring, analysis, and understanding of international travel for transplantation, with the overarching aim of promoting ethical practices and safeguarding patient care.

NETTA brings together National Focal Point (NFP) experts appointed by the governments of member states, typically from national transplant organisations and/or ministries of health. NFPs are responsible for collecting and reporting data on patients who travel abroad to receive organ transplants. This co-ordinated effort enables member states to:

• better understand the phenomenon of travel for transplantation,
• develop tools to improve practices, and
• contribute to the prevention and detection of illicit transplantation activities.

Travel for transplantation is a complex phenomenon involving the movement of individuals across jurisdictional borders to receive organ transplants. While legitimate reasons for such travel do exist – including personal or family circumstances, transnational co-operation agreements, or the lack of domestic transplant programmes – travel becomes unethical, when it involves: 

• trafficking in human beings for organ removal (HTOR), 
• trafficking in human organs (THO),
• or when it undermines a country’s ability to provide transplant services for its own population.

The network was created in response to two Council of Europe resolutions:

1. CM/Res(2013)55, which calls on member states to adopt procedures for the regular collection of data on transplantation procedures performed outside the domestic framework, and
2. CM/Res(2017)2, which establishes procedures for the management of patients having received an organ transplant abroad upon return to their home country to receive follow-up care.

Launched in June 2017, RITTA is a secure platform where National Focal Points report pseudo-anonymised data on all cases of international travel for transplantation in their country, both incoming and outgoing. This international exchange of information enables:

• a better understanding of the scope and dynamics of international travel for transplantation;
• improved knowledge of donor and recipient profiles, and the quality and continuity of post-transplant care;
• enhanced capacity to assess the impact of international transplantation on patient outcomes;
• the identification of potential hotspots of unethical travel for transplantation requiring further investigation

Beyond data collection, NETTA plays a key role in: 

• training healthcare professionals to identify and manage cases involving international transplantation,
• ensuring that patients receive appropriate follow-up care,
• upholding national and international standards.

Through its co-ordinated efforts in data collection, professional training and international collaboration, NETTA contributes to the integrity, safety, and transparency of transplantation systems across Europe and beyond.

NETTA members

Council of Europe member states are encouraged to appoint a National Focal Point to NETTA. This appointment is essential to fully implement resolutions CM/Res(2013)55 and CM/Res(2017)2 within their respective territories and to ensure consistent and transparent reporting of international transplantation activities.

While NETTA primarily serves Council of Europe member states, it also welcomes participation from countries other countries, as travel for transplantation is a global phenomenon. These countries are invited to join as associate members, contributing to the global effort to enhance oversight, collaboration and ethical standards in transplantation practices.

Council of Europe member states that are currently part of NETTA:

National Health Authorities wishing to join NETTA as an associate member are invited to contact the NETTA Secretariat at [email protected]. Further information and guidance on the application process will be provided upon request.