Introduction
One of the least utilized life-saving opportunities is organ transplant. There are many patients in the waiting list who are looking forward to getting a donor in order to survive their clinical conditions; unfortunately, the donors do not measure up at all. Many individuals who have the ability to donate organs are reluctant to do so even after realizing that they are the only solution towards such patients’ complications. This situation has prompted the Health Department of the government to request for a report to determine reasons why the rate of organ donation remains low despite efforts to promote it. The report is focused majorly on reasons why most people do not participate in organ donation schemes and evaluation of their validity. The research focuses both on the cultural and religious beliefs of the people, knowledge about organ transplant, personal attitude regarding the procedure, and their perception about how the practice is carried out.
Findings
Insufficient education on the advantages and specifics of organ donation
The number of organ transplants in the U.K. decreased from 6943 in 2015 to 6462 in 2016 despite a rise in the number of patients in the waiting list (National Health Service, 2016). For instance, as seen in Figure 1. below, despite previous studies showing that there has been an increase in the number of people who need kidney transplants, there was a decrease in the number of transplants in 2016 (5053) from 5467 in 2015 (National Health Service, 2016). A key reason for this decline has been insufficient sensitization on the benefits of organ donation, its effects, and the statistics of the health of past donors. Most potential donors fear that donating their organs may affect their health in the long run (Almassi, 2014). Further, the healthcare sector has not been vigilant in making contact with patients of the deceased or patients under critical conditions to consider donating organs for their loved ones. Thus, while most diseases such as HIV/AIDs and Cancer have attracted funding and a spirited campaign to reduce their prevalence, organ donation as an intervention to most diseases has not received adequate attention.
Figure 1: Active Transplant List (Source: National Health Services, 2016)
Failure of institutions in charge of the practice to perform regular check-up and follow-up of registered donors
There was reasonable registration of donors across all regions (both live and deceased); however, this did not translate to those who donated their organs eventually. Some of the cases were attributed to the failure of institutions and bodies in charge of donation to conduct a follow-up among the registered people to regularly ascertain their willingness (Healey, 2011). “There was also a significant increase in the percentage of adults who joined their state donor registry between 2005 (17.2 percent) and 2012 (29.7 percent)” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013, p.18). Some were willing to donate but the institutions did not take the initiative to ensure they take part in the process. Donors, however, did not turn up in health institutions to donate their organs as they had agreed before.
Misconceptions about Organ Donation
Some people give excuses that their religion does not support organ donation. Religions such as the Shinto that are against the practice only form 0.89% of the world’s population (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013). Some do not even know whether their religions support organ donation or not. Some have made assumptions that they cannot donate organs if they are old or not healthy. Each person has the ability of donating their organs – even smokers donate organs. Some registered members also think that doctors can remove their organs when they are in death stages. Brain death is the legally and medically way of determining death; it is only at this stage that organs can be removed.
Conclusion
Just as blood donation has experienced positive changes in the past century, organ donation can be promoted in different ways starting with tackling problems that mostly lead to donor reluctance. Donor education on reasons for donation, failure to make follow-ups, and misconceptions on organ donations make some of the key reasons for the low number of donor turnout. Therefore, the health department should be at the forefront of developing policies to solve these challenges.
Recommendations
- Increased organ donation sensitization and education programs. Organ donation should start with the sensitization process. There is a need for the Health Department to set aside funds to help encourage more people to donate organs and not rely on family members and friends to look for possible donors. Contacting families of potential donors should be encouraged through regulations that allow the healthcare sector to review the health records of past patients. Additionally, education in schools, media, and public centers should be enforced to help provide key specifics on organ donation, its advantages, and effects.
- Increased follow-up measures on registered donors to ensure their successfully donate their organs. Bodies in charge of organ donation, registered members, medical practitioners, and family members of those registered should ensure that registered members honor their promises. Rules should also be set that govern the donors, accountability for any misfortunes that may occur during the process and insuring them on the same. Once registered, members should also enjoy privileges such as free treatment in those health centers.
- Including religious leaders as stakeholders in managing organ donation foundations and organizations: Many religions and ethnic groups have baseless reasons for deterring their members from participation in organ, tissue, and blood donation, which occurs even after education of the members that it will assist in saving the lives of many; and that they can still lead healthy lives after donation. These social groups should exacerbate the process of organ transplant by effectively educating members on its importance. Incorporating leaders in bodies governing the process will provide them an opportunity to help end these misconceptions given their key role and respect in the society.
Bibliography
Almassi, B. 2014. Trust and the Duty of Organ Donation. Bioethics, 28(6), pp.275-283.
Healey, J. 2011. Organ and tissue donation. 1st ed. Thirroul, N.S.W.: Spinney Press.
National Health Service. (2016). Organ Donation and Transplantation. Available at https://nhsbtdbe.blob.core.windows.net/umbraco-assets/1343/annual_stats.pdf (Accessed 12 Jan 2017).
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2013. 2012 National Survey of Organ Donation Attitudes and Behaviors. Available at https://www.organdonor.gov/dtcp/nationalsurveyorgandonation.pdf (Accessed 06 Jan 2017).
