By Fazeena Saleem
DOHA: The number of organ donations in Qatar has gone up significantly since 2009, helping reduce the waiting time for patients needing transplants, said a senior official.
Over the past six years, the number of ‘deceased’ organ donations has increased eight times and ‘living’ donations 20 times as a result of continued awareness programmes. Among the living donors, 75 percent are Qataris, said Dr. Riadh Fadhil, Director, Qatar Organ Donation Center (Hiba).
Deceased donors are those who have pledged during their life to give organs to someone in need. They include cases in which the family agrees on organ donation after the person’s death. Living donors donate a kidney or part of the liver while they are alive.
“Living and deceased donations are increasing. The waiting list has started to fall, which is something admirable. We have seen about a 10 percent drop every year in the waiting list for kidney and liver transplants since 2009,” Dr. Fadhil said.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a Ramadan organ and blood donation campaign at City Center Doha by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) with support of Al Faisal Without Borders Foundation (Alf).
The two campaigns — now in their fifth year — were inaugurated by Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman, Board of Trustees, ALF.
In 2009, about 2,000 potential donors registered with the Organ Donor Registry and the number increased to 100,000 last year. “I wish everyone in the country registers as a donor this year. We have not set any limit” said Dr. Fadhil.
“The aim of the campaign is to teach people about organ donation, answer their questions and let them know that living donation is safe, and they are going to save their relatives who would be recipients. Donations after death can save many lives. All these information will be given to the public and if they wish to register as donors, they are welcome,” he added.
The campaign will be extended throughout the year at 14 shopping malls across the country. It will be held daily between 6pm and midnight during Ramadan and then will be limited to weekends.
HMC performs kidney and liver transplants and is expected to introduce pancreas transplant this year.
“In the Middle East, Qatar is the leading model for organ donation. It is going the right way, with the right target,” said Professor Philippe Morel, who initiated August 13 as the European and World Organ Donor Day. He is in Doha as a guest of HMC’s Ramadan organ and blood donation campaign.
For the voluntary blood donation campaign, mobile donation units are being dispatched to locations around Qatar. The Blood Donor Centre at Hamad General Hospital next to the Advisory Council building is open to donors from 6pm to midnight during Ramadan.
The Peninsula
