Organ Donation: Demand and Supply

Abstract

With its widening indications, the need for organ transplantation is growing globally. Currently, there is a crisis of organ shortage and a dire need to adopt ways and means to overcome it to save lives and improve the quality of life of patients with end-stage organ failure. In this regard, on the one hand, efforts should be made to eliminate the barriers to organ donation, such as people’s ignorance about organ donation and ethical and religious concerns. On the other hand, strategies should be implemented to enhance organ donation, which in the case of deceased donors, include accelerating the donation process, instituting a policy of presumed or mandated consent, and utilizing extended criteria for donors. In the case of living donors, these include accepting the paired donation and removing disincentives to donation. Organ donation can also be boosted by allowing restricted compensation or reward. Using social media platforms to educate people, facilitate contacts, and match with unspecified donors is also worthwhile. In the future, xenotransplantation is also showing some promise.