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Transplantology: people are not ready to donate their organs
Last reviewed: 20.11.2021
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The leading charitable organization of Great Britain warns that the donor list of expectations will never be reduced unless the public's attitude changes. According to the research, the majority agree in case of need for a donor organ transplant, but there are very few who want to sacrifice their own.
Data was provided by the leading British research center Kidney Research UK. The survey was conducted with the purpose of assessing public opinion and attitudes towards issues of donation and transplantology.
The survey results show that 87% of UK residents would agree to organ transplant if they needed it, but a much smaller number of people are ready to "share" their organs even after death.
About 50 thousand people in the UK suffer from kidney failure. 7 thousand of them are on the waiting list of transplantation, which is 90% of all patients waiting list of the National Health Service of Great Britain.
Due to the high risk of developing chronic kidney disease, as well as with the natural aging processes, further growth in demand for donor organs is expected. And again, demand will exceed supply.
"The continuing shortage of donor organs is the number one problem in the UK. This situation is acute for everyone who is standing in the queue for a transplant, a patient, "says Professor Tim Hudship. - The average waiting period for the donor kidney is on average about three years. Plus, you need to consider the fact that patients with complications and a rare blood group are waiting much longer. In the light of recent events, we would like to ask people to pay more attention to the problems of transplantology, because no one is immune from this. Your organs after death probably will not be of any use to you, but they will be able to save someone's life. "
"Imagine that you have been diagnosed with kidney failure and you face life on dialysis or death. All envy only on how the disease will "lead" itself. The only salvation is a donor organ transplant. Ask yourself if you agree to this if you are in danger of death. If the answer is positive, then think about becoming a donor, because in place of the patient today may be everyone already tomorrow, "- concluded Professor Gudship.
Equally important is the attitude of the relatives of a potential donor to his decision. It is very important that people registered in the transplant program discuss their wishes with their families, because the family has the last, decisive word in this matter.