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Organ donation numbers go back again in Germany
Around ten thousand people in this country are waiting for a donor organ. But the number of donated organs can not meet the needs by far. Rather, the number has declined in the current year 2016 by about three percent, reports the German Foundation for Organ Transplantation (DSO) in a recent release. According to the Foundation, however, the reason for the decline is not a generally negative attitude towards organ donation. Instead, it often caused uncertainty due to a lack of information and limited conditions in the clinics.
Three percent fewer donor organs than in the previous year
The number of organ donors and donated organs has dropped again this year. As reported by the German Foundation for Organ Transplantation (DSO), the total number of donated organs fell by 3.0 percent in the months from January to October compared to 2015, to 2,383 (2015: 2,457). In total, the number of organs donated in the Federal Republic of Germany in 2015 totaled 2,900 organs.
The number of organ donors is still very low in Germany. (Image: s4svisuals / fotolia.com) Number of donors remains at a low level
The nationwide number of donors was reportedly in the years 2010 to 2013 by a third of 1,296 to a low of 876 people dropped. Since then, donor numbers - with slight up and down trends - have remained at this low level. In the first ten months of this year, there were 717 organ donations. Similar values were achieved in the two previous years (2014: 713, 2015: 736 organ donations). A total of 877 Germans donated their organs in 2015.
Germany far behind in EU comparison
Accordingly, there are only 10.8 donors per million inhabitants in Germany. Germany lags significantly behind in international comparison. According to the DSO, the EU average is 19.5. Leader Spain even brings it to a value of 39.7. There 1851 donors were registered last year - although in the country only half as many people live as in the FRG.
Willingness to donate is generally high
However, the reasons for the decline are not to be found in a general rejection of organ donation, according to the DSO communication. Surveys of the Federal Center for Health Education (BzgA) have shown that about 80 percent of the citizens were positive about the donation. Often, however, there is a lack of information on uncertainty in decision-making.
Framework partially inadequate
In addition, the structures and capacities in the 1,300 potential withdrawal clinics would be inadequate in some cases in order to be able to fulfill all responsible tasks. "Organ donation is a collaborative effort and relies on the commitment and commitment of doctors and nurses in donor hospitals. However, it can only develop successfully with the support of politics and in consensus with the population, "said the DSO Medical Board. Axel Rahmel.
It is hoped, therefore, that "the amendment to the Transplantation Act 2012/2013 has brought about major structural changes and reforms to improve organ donation and transplantation, particularly concerning procedures and cooperation," Rahmel continues. This would include among other things the nationwide use of transplantation officers in the clinics and revised guidelines.
Task should be mastered together
Rahmel appeals to the more than 1,300 removal hospitals to use the DSO's extensive support services as a coordination point and to jointly undertake the task of donating organs to society as a whole. "It is a quality feature for any ICU when organ donation is performed, and a sign of medical concern and solidarity when physicians also care for those patients who are waiting for a life-saving donor organ in another hospital, elsewhere." the expert. (No)