An increase in organ donors from 0.5% to 1% of all deaths could eliminate transplant waitlists if more people knew about this option, top doctors estimate.
Starting June 17th, Ireland will have an organ donation opt-out consent system.
Anyone who doesn't want to be a donor can register this with the HSE. Their relatives are not asked about the donation when they die. Families of those who are not on the register can ask if they would like to consider giving.
Organ Donation Dr. Brian O'Brien, National Director of Ireland, spoke to people about donations with their families and asked them to know how they could help others.
“Around 30,000 people die in Ireland each year, with fewer than 100 organ donors,” he said.
The latest list shows more than 600 people waiting for their organs, including the heart, lungs, and liver. Of these, over 500 people are waiting for their kidneys.
“There are about 600 people waiting for a transplant at once, and 1% of 30,000 people. [annual] Deaths are going to be 300,” Dr. O'Brien said. .
“Your average donor gives you two or three organs – two kidneys, sometimes their heart, sometimes their lungs.”
Dr. O'Brien, an anesthesia and intensive care medication consultant at Cork University Hospital, said people are more likely to need a transplant than they are donors.
The 2024 Human Histology Act will begin in just four weeks.
He predicted: “While changing the law won't change the numbers that much, what we need is for people to discuss their hopes with their families.”
Dr. O'Brien hopes that few people will opt out, adding, “Obviously, some have a strong view on this, and we have to respect their views.”
Many people are not suited to become donors as organs can be damaged by cancer or other diseases.
“Most studies show that in Ireland, more than 90% of people, depending on their age group, are willing to donate their organs when they die,” he said. “We need to find ways to increase the number of people who actually do it.”
Changes in the sudden death pattern also affect transplantation.
“In recent decades, we have been getting better results from strokes and fewer fatal road traffic accidents,” he said.
However, changes in cardiology have seen an increase in donations after cardiac death, and he said this “now accounts for about a quarter to a third of all donors.”
Dr. O'Brien was speaking during the launch of the currently held Organ Donor Awareness Week.
Carol Moore, chief executive of Ireland's Kidney Association, said he is looking forward to the changes from the new law.
“[Last year] The 84 families selflessly agreed that their loved one's organs were being donated in the most tragic circumstances,” she said.
“These individual human acts save lives, transform and represent an example for all of us throughout Ireland.”
