Daisa's Law: Family Pride on the One-Year Anniversary of the Rule Change

The father of the child who sparked changes to organ donation rules in Northern Ireland has said the number of organ donors has increased since the new laws were introduced in 2023 and lives are being “saved”.

The law means that most adults in Northern Ireland will be considered potential organ donors after death, unless they actively refuse.

Stormont Health said it was too early to report on the impact of the Dice Act and they needed to monitor figures over several years.

However, it has emerged that Northern Ireland recorded its highest ever number of organ donors last year.

There are 64 donors for 2023/24, up from 59 the previous year.

Although the increase is relatively small, the 64 organ donors helped save the lives of 158 people who needed organ transplants.

The first anniversary was celebrated at an event at Belfast City Hall on Saturday.

Ms Daisa's father, Martin McGovern, who led the campaign to pass the bill, said the family was “delighted to know that a life has been saved in Daisa's name”.

“Truly, every struggle, every setback, every up and down and every part of the campaign has been worth it.”

“We moved mountains,” he added.

Although the law only applies to people over 18, McGovern said it would “indirectly help Diasa by normalising organ donation in society”.

“We hope families will start talking now and consider signing up regardless of age,” he said.

“It may seem like too much to ask, but organ donation is a last resort and the only option for Daisa, so it's all we can do.”

Daita spent six of the first seven years of his life on the waiting list.

He is one of 153 people currently in need of a transplant in Northern Ireland.

Each year, 10 to 15 people die before they can be matched with a donor, and it is hoped that Daita's Law will increase the number of potential organ donors.

While it is currently presumed that the majority of adults would agree to donate their organs after death, the Public Health Agency (PHA) stressed that families still have a choice, as they are consulted when the possibility of organ donation arises.

A total of 73 families have agreed to donate organs in Northern Ireland in 2023/24, with 64 of these progressing to the transplant stage.

While not all families agree to organ donation, the Ministry of Health said consent rates have also increased over the past year.

The proportion of families who agreed increased from 65% in 2022/23 to 68% in 2023/24.

However, in 54 cases where potential donors had already made their wishes known, the consent rate rose to 93%, with 50 of those families agreeing to donate their organs.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the early data, saying the “latest data highlights the continuing positive impact organ donation has on saving lives.”

“The increase in organ donors and families who support organ donation is incredibly positive and gives hope to people who desperately need a life-saving transplant,” he added.

PHA chief executive Aidan Dawson encouraged people hoping to donate their organs to let their loved ones know their wishes.

“continuation, NHS Organ Donor Registerand talking to your family is the best way to ensure they can support your decision,” he said.

More than half the population of Northern Ireland has already chosen to become an organ donor and recorded their preference by signing the NHS Organ Donor Register.

A total of 1,053,541 people had registered as of May 22nd this year.

In Northern Ireland, 55% of all residents answered “yes”, making it the region with the highest proportion of people willing to donate of any part of the UK.

The same registry can also be used if you wish to decline organ donation.

Statistics also show that the number of people selecting the “do not donate” directive has been on the rise over the past year.

Figures obtained from the PHA showed that by the end of March 2023 there had been 7,115 withdrawals, but by March 2024 that number had risen by more than 15,000.

The latest figures show that 22,697 people in Northern Ireland had left by May 22 this year, equivalent to 1.2% of the local population.

There are several groups that are excluded from the scope of the law, so not everyone is automatically considered a donor.

Organ donation figures are recorded for the financial year from April to March, but the Ministry of Health confirmed that the majority of donors last year – 60 people – donated their organs under the new law which came into force from June 1, 2023.

The Mac Gavan family will be spending Saturday at Belfast City Hall, where the Mayor is hosting a fun-filled family event to mark the first anniversary.

“On this day we want to encourage people to join the organ donor register and share their decision to donate their organs,” Mr Mac Govern said.

He also expressed his “heartfelt gratitude to all those who donated their organs and their families,” describing them as “superheroes.”

“The hope they bring to families like ours is the greatest gift of all.”