Organ donation - Ireland falling behind

By Deborah Condon

October 11, 2006

Ireland can no longer claim to be one of the best countries in Europe when it comes to donating organs, the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) has warned.

According to statistics from the Council of Europe, in the list of best donating countries in Europe, Ireland dropped from 5th place in 2004 to 11th place in 2005. (This list refers to organs from deceased donors.)

Furthermore, more kidney transplant operations took place in Ireland in 1990 than last year.

"Last year was not a good year for kidney transplantation here and Ireland has eight times more people on dialysis now than 16 years ago", said IKA chief executive, Mark Murphy.

He pointed out that in 1990, when the population was 3.4 million, 137 kidney transplants from deceased donors took place, which represents 38 transplants per million of the population.

However in 2005, despite the population reaching over four million, just 127 kidney transplants from deceased donors took place, representing 30 transplants per million of the population.

"This results in a net drop in deceased kidney transplantation of over 20% in real terms when comparing the two years in question", Mr Murphy said.

Meanwhile, there are now over 1,400 people undergoing kidney dialysis, which is eight times more than in 1989, when just 178 patients required dialysis.

Apart from dropping to 11th place in the deceased organ donors' list, Ireland has also dropped down in the list covering all kidney transplants (from living and deceased donors). In 2004, Ireland was rated 11th on this list. Last year, it was rated 18th. Cyprus, Spain and Norway top the list.

"This drop in organ donors, together with the reduced level of transplantation, has obvious consequences for the spiralling number of patients awaiting kidney transplant. Furthermore, the Irish situation is not helped by our very low level of living donor transplantation", Mr Murphy commented.

He insisted that organ donor awareness campaigns in Ireland are 'second to none' and blamed the current situation on the lack of resources dedicated to kidney transplantation.

"A small trickle of funds has arrived to Beaumont Hospital to develop the Living Kidney Transplant Programme. But when is the HSE going to seriously develop this under-resourced and under-exploited, completely preferred, economically viable choice of treatment for our kidney patients?" Mr Murphy asked.

He made his comments ahead of European Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation, which takes place on Sunday, October 14. Currently in Ireland, over 550 people are waiting for life saving organ transplant operations, including heart, liver, kidney and pancreas.

"The amount of operations performed is entirely dependent on the goodwill of the public and their decision to carry an organ donor card", the IKA said.

Last year, over 200 lives were extended and saved by such operations.

To obtain an organ donor card and information fact file, text the word 'Donor' and your name and address, along with the number of cards you require, to 53377 or email your request to donor@ika.ie Texts cost 15c.

Organ donor cards are also available from pharmacies, GP surgeries and citizen information offices. It is important to remember to sign the organ donor card and request your next of kin to sign it also, as this indicates their willingness to honour your wishes in the event of your death.

Copyright © 2006 IrishHealth.com.

This article posted November 18, 2006.