Organ Donation Week
EMBARGOED UNTIL 1.00AM SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2004
AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, today calls for wide public consultation to secure a national approach to organ donation in Australia.
Speaking in the lead up to Organ Donation Week, Dr Glasson said that while existing arrangements in Australia had saved or improved the quality of many lives, there is room for improvement.
"Organ donation rates in Australia are decreasing," Dr Glasson said.
"In 2002 Australia had 10.6 donors per million people and in 2003 this had dropped to 9 donors per million people.
"In Australia, state averages include: ACT 25 donors per million people, Victoria (9), NSW (7) Tas (4), SA (14), Qld (11), WA (9), and NT (5).
"We need to look at other ways of doing this.
"If we look at international experiences, many countries have a much higher rate of organ donation, including Austria (24.3 donors per million people), Belgium (21.7), Spain (33.7) and Portugal (21.7). These rates are for 2002.
"These countries all have an 'opt-out' approach to donating, which assumes people will donate their organs, unless they specifically request otherwise. Families are consulted wherever possible about the final decision.
"Regardless of whether or not someone has registered on Australia's organ donation register, families are always involved in the final decision."
Acknowledging the enormous social and economic benefit of organ donation, Dr Glasson said it's important we raise this issue at a national level.
"Kidney dialysis costs between $50,000 - $70,000 annually and can incapacitate patients for around 5 hours a day. A kidney transplant costs around $15,00 and another $15 annually to maintain the procedure," Dr Glasson said.
Dr Glasson repeats his call to all Australians to consider the gift of donating healthy organs by discussing their wishes with their family members well in advance of a tragic event.
"The critical shortage of transplant organs sees many people die while on waiting lists. This is a terrible loss and a terrible waste," Dr Glasson said.
20 February 2004
CONTACT: Judith Tokley (02) 6270 5471 / (0408) 824 306