Family pride regarding the first anniversary of rules change

The father of a child who affected changes to organ donation rules in Northern Ireland said their lives have been “saved” as the number of donors has increased since the introduction of new laws in 2023. Masu.

Daichi's law is named after 7-year-old Belfast boy Dáithí Mac Gabhannhas been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2018.

This law means that most adults in Northern Ireland will be considered potential organ donors after death unless they actively opt out.

Stormont's Ministry of Health says it's still too early to report on the impact of Dáithí's law, as numbers need to be monitored for several years.

However, it has revealed that Northern Ireland recorded the most organ donors of last year to date.

There were 64 donors in 2023/24 compared to the 59 people in the previous year.

Though the increase is relatively small, these 64 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.

Daichi's father, Mac Gaban, who led the campaign to pass the law, said their family was “pleasant to know that their lives are being saved” in Daty's name.

“Every trouble, every set-off, every ups and downs, and every value of the campaign was worth it.

“It moved the mountains,” he added.

The law only applies to people over the age of 18, but Mac Gabhann says that “indirectly helps Dáithí through organ donation in society.”

“I hope that families will have a conversation now and consider joining the register regardless of age,” he said.

“It may seem like a lot to ask, but that's all we can ask because organ donations are the last resort and Daichi's only option.”

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

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

Every year, between 10 and 15 people die before matching donors, and Daichi's law is expected to increase the number of potential organs.

It is now estimated that most adults agree to donate their postmortem organs, but the public health agency (PHA) will consult if the donation is possible, so families still have options He emphasized.

A total of 73 families in Northern Ireland agreed to organ donation in 2023/24, of which 64 proceeded to the transplant stage.

Not all families agree to the donation, but the Ministry of Health said the consent rate has also risen over the past year.

The percentage of families who gave consent was 68% in 2023/24, up from 65% in 2022/23.

However, in 54 cases where potential donors had already announced their hope, the consent rate rose to 93%, of which 50 people agreed to donate.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the early numbers and said, “The latest data highlights the continued positive impact of organ donations on saving lives.”

He added: “The increase in the number of donors and families helping with organ donation is very positive and gives hope to those who are in great need for life-saving transplants.”

PHA CEO Aidandausson encouraged people who want to become donors to ensure their loved ones are aware of their wishes.

“We continue to register decisions NHS Organ Donor Registrationand talking to your family is the best way to help your family support your decisions,” he said.

More than half of Northern Ireland's population has already been chosen to become donors and records their wishes by signing the NHS Organ Donor Register.

A total of 1,053,541 people signed up by May 22nd this year.

Northern Ireland has the highest percentage of happy donors in all UK regions, as 55% of all residents say yes.

If you want to opt out of becoming an organ donor, you can also use the same register.

Statistics show that the number of people who chose to “not give” instructions has also increased over the past year.

The figures obtained from the PHA show had an opt-out of 7,115 by the end of March 2023, but by March 2024, that figure had risen above 15,000.

The latest figures show that 22,697 people in Northern Ireland have opted out by May 22 this year. This amounts to 1.2% of local residents.

Not everyone is automatically considered a donor, as there are several groups excluded from the scope of the law.

they are:

• Children under 18 years old
• People who lack the mental ability to understand changes in law
• Visitors to Northern Ireland
• Temporary Residents

Although organ donation figures are recorded for the fiscal year from April to March, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that most donors (60) last year gave organs under the new law.

The Mac Gabhann family will spend Saturday at Belfast City Hall. Here we celebrate the one year anniversary of the mayor's happy family day.

“We want to continue to participate in the organ donor register on this day and encourage them to continue to share their organ donation decisions,” said Mac Gaban.

He also expressed “a deep gratitude to all the people who donated and to the donor families,” describing them as “superheroes.”

“The hope they brought to their families like us is the greatest gift of everything.”