AMA urges Government to continue momentum on organ donation education and promotion
AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, today urged the Abbott Government to continue the momentum built by previous Governments to increase the rates of organ and tissue donation in Australia.
The AMA call comes as local and international organ donation experts meet in Sydney for the 2013 Organ Donation Congress.
Dr Hambleton said recent years have seen an increase in education and promotion of the benefits of organ donation.
“Families are being encouraged to talk more openly about donating organs and tissue, and doctors are often an important part of that discussion,” Dr Hambleton said.
“Australia is a world leader for successful transplant outcomes, and there are currently around 1600 people on the Australian organ transplant waiting lists.
“According to DonateLife, in 2012, 354 organ donors gave 1,053 Australians a new chance in life. One organ and tissue donor can transform the lives of 10 or more people.
“The number of donors and recipients in 2012 was the highest since national records began.
“But we can and must do better if we are to save more lives and improve more lives.
“It is important that the Government remains fully and actively engaged in the ongoing campaign to lift Australia’s organ and tissue donation rates.”
The 2013 Organ Donation Congress – 12th Congress of the International Society for Organ Donation and Procurement – is being held in Sydney from 21-24 November.
21 November 2013
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