More than 200 organ transplants have been carried out this year, the HSE has confirmed, thanks to the “generosity and kindness” of 99 organ donors and their families.
The HSE's Office for Organ Donation and Transplantation Ireland (ODTI) has announced that 203 transplants were carried out in 2021.
Across the three national transplant centers, 137 kidney, 34 liver, 20 lung, 10 heart, and two pancreas transplants were completed. This includes kidney transplants from 35 living donors.
Dr Catherine Motherway, HSE's Clinical Lead for Organ Donation, thanked the donors and families who chose to donate and saved the lives of others.
“Every year at this time, we remember those who came before us. On behalf of ODTI, intensive care staff, transplant teams, and transplant patients, I would like to thank and honor our deceased donors,” she said. said.
“Organ donation saves and changes lives. I am honored to work with families who, time and time again, need to think of others when faced with the sudden death of a loved one. We cannot thank you enough. Our donors give life in death.”
“Please have that conversation.”
More than 600 people are currently waiting for an organ transplant in Ireland. This includes dialysis patients awaiting kidney transplants and patients awaiting lung, heart, and liver transplants.
ODTI is asking people across Ireland to #HaveThatConversation by sharing their thoughts and wishes regarding organ donation with their loved ones.
“We ask everyone to remember that organ donation saves lives.” “While there are many positive stories of successful transplants, sadly some patients die each year while waiting for a transplant.
“By having a conversation, wherever possible, the loss of one precious life can benefit many others through donations.”
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said organ donation was “one of the most selfless gifts we can give to others” and urged families to “support organ donation to become the norm every time we have the opportunity”. He urged them to do so.
“Organ donation can be the gift of life for some people, and I encourage families across the country to have these conversations, discuss their intentions regarding organ donation, and let loved ones know their wishes. I recommend it,” he said.
pandemic
The minister also paid tribute to organ donors, their families, and transplant staff for their “hard work, professionalism and dedication” during the coronavirus pandemic.
He said he intended to submit a human tissue bill to cabinet in early 2022 that would provide for an opt-out system for consent for organ donation.
Dr Mazaway said the past 18 months of the pandemic had been “incredibly difficult” for transplant services.
“We have worked hard to ensure that organ donations continue and transplant programs are maintained. The intensive care unit, theater, medical and nursing staff of donor hospitals and transplant centers carry out organ donation and transplantation with true professionalism. “We continue to support them,” she said.
She paid a special tribute to her colleague Siobhan Brosnan-Shanahan, head organ donation nurse at University Hospital Limerick, who passed away earlier this year. “True to her own beliefs, she gave the gift of life to others by donating her organs,” she said.
look www.hse.ie/organdonation For more information, visit #HaveThatConversation #OrganDonationSavesLives on social media.
