Turkish Society of Transplant Coordinators (ONKOD), dedicated to improving organ donation, has launched a charitable initiative during the Organ and Tissue Donation Week, celebrated from November 3 to 9.
At the gathering hosted by ONKOD in Istanbul, it was noted that only 26% of families of individuals who had been permitted organ donation from 2008 to 2023 granted consent for organ transplantation.
Additionally, the impact of disruptive events such as the pandemic was revealed, with the number of cadaveric donors in the country decreasing to 234. Over 30,000 patients are waiting for a chance at life through organ transplantation in Türkiye.
Nilgün Bilal, the President ONKOD, emphasized the issue’s significance, stating: “Diseases that can only be treated through organ and tissue transplantation are a significant health issue in our country, as they are worldwide. Although Turkey possesses deep experience and knowledge in the field of organ transplantation, we are unfortunately not at an adequate level in terms of cadaveric transplants and the number of cadaveric donors. We hope that this charitable initiative will be embraced by society to increase the chances of more patients regaining their health and lives. While we lead in live donor organ transplants worldwide, we are not where we want to be in terms of cadaveric transplants. Various reasons, including family consent and cultural and sociological factors, underlie this result. Some beliefs are incorrect but perceived as true by society. It is of great importance to convey the correct information to the public.”
