Koreans Reluctant to Donate Organs

By Kim Rahn

Staff Reporter

December 16, 2004

Donated organs of brain dead patients numbered only 1.4 people out of 1 million last year in South Korea, far fewer than most advanced countries, according to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs Thursday.

The institute added that in Spain, brain dead organ-donors numbered 32.5 people out of 1 million brain dead people, with 22.1 in the United States, 17.8 in France and 10.9 in Britain.

The total number of brain dead organ-donors was 68 in Korea, far lower than 6,457 in the U.S., 1,335 in Spain, 1,066 in France, 988 in Italy and 645 in Britain.

The total in South Korea has decreased from 162 in 1999 to 49 as of September this year. There were 64 brain dead organ-donors in 2000, 52 in 2001, 36 in 2002, and 68 last year.

``The law on organ transplantation, legislated in 1999, is concerned about illegal organ trading and promotes the equal distribution of organs. But due to system inefficiencies, it has resulted in a decrease in the number of organ transplants and organ donations by brain dead people,'' Han Young-ja, staff of the health institute said.

The total number of transplant cases had increased annually from 1,014 in 1996 to 1,557 in 2001 and has involved organs donated by live and brain dead donors.

But the number has declined since 2002, with 1,349 in 2002, 1,376 in 2003, and 1,127 as of September this year.

However, the number of those patients needing organ transplants is on the rise. A total of 3,981 patients sought donated organs in 2000, 4,473 in 2001, 5,156 in 2002, 6,014 in 2003 and 6,686 as of September 2004.

``As the nation is running short of donated organs compared to those needing organ transplants, many patients head for foreign countries for transplants and sometimes suffer various side effects from low quality medical treatments,'' Han said.

To activate organ donations, the institute pointed out the need for education and promotions encouraging a positive attitude toward organ donation in society. ``People have to recognize that donating their organs is an important asset for society's health,'' Han stressed.

``The nation also has to prepare an independent organization and professional coordinators to deal with all the process of donation, preservation, distribution and transportation of organs,'' she added.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr

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This article posted January 4, 2005.