Introduction
Organ donation is a humanitarian act that embodies the highest values of generosity, offering hope to patients suffering from chronic organ diseases or organ failure. World Organ Donation Week aims to correct misconceptions and raise awareness about the importance of organ donation from both living donors and brain-dead individuals, thereby saving lives and improving the quality of life for patients.
A living person can donate part of their liver, one kidney, or bone marrow to a specific or non-specific recipient based on medical need and compatibility. A brain-dead individual can donate their heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, intestines, bones, corneas, and heart valves.
Objectives:
- Raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.
- Encourage organ donation after death.
- Correct misconceptions about organ donation and transplantation.
Facts:
- A brain-dead donor can save and improve the lives of 9 individuals.
- Saudi Arabia ranks second globally in living donor rates per million people and 30th globally in deceased donor rates per million people.
- In 2023, a total of 2,091 organs were transplanted from both living and deceased donors in Saudi Arabia.
- There are 30 accredited organ transplant programs in Saudi Arabia.
- Over 18,000 kidney failure patients are registered on the National Organ Donation and Transplantation Platform "Athar."
- The number of patients awaiting liver transplants far exceeds the number of available donor livers.
- Kidney failure patients spend approximately 12 hours per week in dialysis centers, significantly impacting their work and social lives.
References:
- Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation – Annual Report 2023
- International Registry in Organ Donation and Transplantation