To coincide with Organ Donor Awareness Week the HSE Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland has outlined key activities and outcomes in organ donation and transplant in Ireland in 2016.
The aim of the announcement is to encourage people to consider becoming an organ donor.
Overall, 280 organ transplants were carried out during 2016. This marks the second highest yearly performance achieved, with an average rate of 23 transplants per month. The organ transplant figures for 2016 were:
– 172 kidney transplants at National Renal Transplant service, Beaumont Hospital;
– 58 liver transplants at National Liver transplant service, St Vincent’s University Hospital;
– 35 lung transplants and 15 heart transplants at the National Heart lung transplant service at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.
Speaking ahead of Organ Donation Week, Prof Jim Egan, Director of Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland said;
“I want to thank the 77 families whose courage and generosity in donating organs saved the lives of 280 people last year. Also I would like to thank the staff of the National Organ Procurement Service, the Intensive Care Units and Theatres, as well as the nurses and all staff in hospitals nationwide for their commitment. They play a key role in the donation process.”
The Irish Kidney Association’s Organ Donor Awareness Week 2017 will take place from 1st – 8th April next. The main focus of the campaign is to continue to remind the Irish public to have the important family discussion about their wishes concerning deceased organ donation.
Prof Jim Egan says, “Every year Organ Donation Week creates huge public awareness which is an essential part of ensuring that a sustainable transplant programme can survive and thrive. It is only because of the generosity of the Irish public that patients can receive the life-saving treatment of an organ transplant. Whilst the living donor programme grows from strength to strength, I would urge people to talk to their families about organ donation; help your loved ones carry out your wishes and aid them in making decisions about organ donation on your behalf, should the need arise.”