The Jordanian Kidney Transplant Experience: A Glorious Past and a Challenging Present

Abstract

Jordan was one of the first Arab countries to enact legislation governing organ donation and transplantation. Jordan has seen an increase in the frequency of kidney transplants performed utilizing organs from living donors since that time.  Jordan has been a reputable regional center for kidney transplantation and has a long history of excellence in the field. Jordan's low rate of kidney transplants from deceased donors, Despite the legality of the Jordanian constitution, the availability of highly skilled nephrologists and transplant surgeons as well as advanced health care is quite alarming and could be caused by a number of different factors. The absence of a formal government plan to control brain death donation is the most important factor. The goals of this study are to provide a description of the current state of kidney transplantation in Jordan, a summary of the most significant barriers to expanding kidney transplantation efforts that focus on kidneys donated by deceased donors, and suggestions for increasing the number of kidney transplants from brain dead donors.