Number of organ donors in China is extremely low for a country with a population of more than 1 billion. Between March 2010 to April this year, only 3,824 people donated organs.
One reason for the low figures is that the national organ donation program was only implemented in 2014. Prior to that, the country was almost entirely dependent on executed prisoners as a source of transplant organs but this practice has gradually decreased, according to the Dui Hua foundation, a US-based rights group.
5,000th Organ Donation in Iowa, State's Only Multi-Organ Transplant Program Since 1969
A team at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Organ Transplant Center have performed 5,000 organ transplants since the program's inception in 1969.
Advertisement
But workers at the heart of the education campaign are also up against a significant cultural barrier in spreading awareness about organ donations because many in China believe a body should be buried whole.
A recommendation to include an organ donation preference in a person's driving licence did not gain any attention at last year's meeting among China's political advisory body. Delegates felt that would be an unlucky gesture.
![Both Donors, Recipients Face Monetary Constraints that Hinder Organ Donation]( "Both Donors, Recipients Face Monetary Constraints that Hinder Organ Donation")
Offering incentives to living donors is an ethically-charged issue. Experts fear that it may lead to the exploitation or undue inducement of donors.
Apart from the cultural aversion, China also faces a sceptical public. In 2012, 40 percent of people surveyed were worried donated organs may be given to those with money or power - in other words, trafficked into a black market.
However, efforts are being made to improve the organ donation rate in the country. Officials who are designated to promote organ donation speak excitedly about upcoming projects.
"We are planning to create more awareness on organ donation. We will make some movies and documentaries in this account. We made a movie based on a theme of organ donations called the Gift of Life but it's not in cinemas yet," said Dr Gao Xinpu, deputy director of the China Organ Administrative Center.
The center Dr Gao helps run has only been operating since 2013. Its job is to train people to educate others about organ donations, especially the families of patients who are gravely ill. The center also provides counseling to people to improve the donation rate.
Source: Medindia
Both Donors, Recipients Face Monetary Constraints that Hinder Organ Donation
Offering incentives to living donors is an ethically-charged issue. Experts fear that it may lead to the exploitation or undue inducement of donors.
Advertisement
Apart from the cultural aversion, China also faces a sceptical public. In 2012, 40 percent of people surveyed were worried donated organs may be given to those with money or power - in other words, trafficked into a black market.
However, efforts are being made to improve the organ donation rate in the country. Officials who are designated to promote organ donation speak excitedly about upcoming projects.
"We are planning to create more awareness on organ donation. We will make some movies and documentaries in this account. We made a movie based on a theme of organ donations called the Gift of Life but it's not in cinemas yet," said Dr Gao Xinpu, deputy director of the China Organ Administrative Center.
The center Dr Gao helps run has only been operating since 2013. Its job is to train people to educate others about organ donations, especially the families of patients who are gravely ill. The center also provides counseling to people to improve the donation rate.
Source: Medindia
Wisconsin-Based Ripon Medical Center to Create Awareness on Organ Donation
More than 28,000 Americans need life saving organ transplants every year, but there are not enough organs available for everyone in need.
Advertisement
Fewer Organ Donation in Australia as Families Refuse ConsentResearch shows that 80% families agree for donation if they have already discussed about it compared to 60% of who give consent for organ donation. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Organ Donation News
Tamilnadu to implement state honors for last rites of Organ Donors in the state- a welcome move
In a historic surgical achievement, U.S. medical professionals successfully transplanted a pig's heart into an end-stage cardiovascular disease patient.
Groundbreaking study advocates neonatal kidney transplantation as the answer to the organ shortage crisis, shedding light on the challenges faced by families.
Two people in the US, who underwent lung transplantation, have been infected with a deadly bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As per the Ministry, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will initiate the organ donation pledge at Agra's GIC Ground, UP.
