Day for Organ Donation - Are Germans unwilling to give donations?
No, it's actually interesting that people in this country tend to support organ donation. About 7 out of 10 individuals say they would be willing to donate their organs.
The issue isn't really with the public, though. Instead, it's political. Looking at Spain, the world leader in organ donation, reveals how things could be different and how we could potentially save more lives here.
Over 8,300 people waiting for donor organs
There are more than 8,000 people waiting for a donor organ every year in Germany. The list could be even longer, but only the most critical cases make it onto the waiting list. There are approximately 900 donors, which isn't enough. Even if an average of three organs are removed from each donor, this is still insufficient. Therefore, three people die every day because they have to wait too long, even on Organ Donation Day.
This is supposed to change now - with the Register for Declarations on Organ and Tissue Donation (OGR). Since March 18, 2024, anyone in Germany can enter their personal decision on organ donation online in this register. It's like a passport but permanently accessible to medical professionals.
"Only 15% of potential organ donors have an organ donor card or a patient directive," says Dr. Axel Rahmel (62), the Managing Director of the German Foundation for Organ Transplantation. "If the relatives - without knowing the wishes of the deceased - give their consent in 75% of cases, potential organ donations fail primarily due to a lack of consent."
The Spanish approach
Spain leads in organ donation across Europe and the world. There are four times as many organ donations there. This is due to three reasons.
- Opt-out system
In Spain and many other countries, everyone is considered an organ donor unless they've explicitly objected during their lifetime.
- Organ removal after brain death and circulatory death
Organ removal is only allowed after brain death in this country. In other countries, including Spain, it's also permitted after circulatory death. This regulation applies to most European countries.
- Education and support in medical facilities
A lot of effort, counseling, and education are the cornerstones of the Spanish system in addition to the laws. In major hospitals, there are full-time transplantation representatives who consult and advise people who are dying, their relatives, and survivors. This open approach reduces fear.
Age doesn't matter
A registration in the OGR is beneficial for everyone! Even seniors. There's no fixed age limit for organ donation. What matters is the condition of the organs. Whether an organ can be transplanted is determined by medical tests after death - and ultimately by the medical staff.
The oldest organ donor in Germany was 98 years old, and her liver was successfully transplanted!
Survey for app users: Are you willing to donate your organs?
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