International Competition for Organ Transplant Recipients Sparks Debate over Donation Guidelines - Controversy Surrounds Organ Donation Policies at World Transplant Games
In the heart of Europe, Germany's organ donation rates fall short of many of its neighbouring countries, sparking calls for change from experts and advocates. The World Transplant Games Dresden, taking place from now until August 24, aims to raise awareness about this pressing issue.
Germany ranks in the lower third in terms of organ donors per million inhabitants, with just 11.4 donors recorded in 2021. This is a stark contrast to countries like Spain, which boasts over 40 donors per million, and neighbouring nations such as Belgium, Austria, and Switzerland, which have more than 20 donors per million.
The reason for Germany's lower donation rate can be attributed to its opt-in system, where individuals must explicitly consent to organ donation. This contrasts with many other European countries that have adopted an opt-out system, which presumes consent for organ donation unless individuals register their refusal.
This system, coupled with public hesitancy to explicitly register consent, contributes to lower donor numbers in Germany. The implications are far-reaching, with long waiting times for patients in need of organ transplants and, in some cases, patients not receiving transplants at all due to organ scarcity.
Professor Eberhard Schollmeyer, a participant in the World Transplant Games Dresden, received a donor organ about 40 years ago and waited three months for a kidney, which he considered "very fast" even for then. However, long waiting times for organ transplants are common in Germany, with current estimates suggesting a wait of about ten years.
To address this issue, experts and organizations in Germany, such as the medical director of the German Organ Transplant Foundation (DSO), Axel Rahmel, advocate for a switch to an opt-out (presumed consent) system to increase organ donation rates and reduce the strain on patients awaiting transplants.
The World Transplant Games Dresden, being held in Germany for the first time, aims to demonstrate the capabilities of people with new organs. With 17 sports on offer, including tennis, cycling, swimming, and athletics, the Games hope to inspire more people to consider organ donation.
If Germany were to adopt the organ donation policies of other European countries, the German team in the World Transplant Games would be twice as large, according to Professor Schollmeyer. In the worst-case scenario, some patients in Germany may not receive an organ transplant at all due to low donor numbers.
The World Transplant Games Dresden serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of organ donation and the potential impact of changing Germany's current system. As we witness the remarkable achievements of transplanted athletes, let us hope that the Games will inspire a change in attitude towards organ donation and a brighter future for those in need of transplants in Germany.
[1] European Commission (2019). Organ donation and transplantation in Europe. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/files/ehealth/docs/donation_transplantation_europe_2019_en.pdf [2] German Organ Transplant Foundation (DSO) (2021). Organ donation in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.dso.de/en/organ-donation/ [3] World Health Organization (2019). Organ donation and transplantation. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/organ-donation-and-transplantation [4] European Kidney Health Alliance (2021). Organ donation and transplantation in Europe. Retrieved from https://www.kidneyallianceeurope.org/uploads/media/Organ_Donation_and_Transplantation_in_Europe.pdf
- Adopting an opt-out system for organ donation, similar to that in various European countries, could potentially double the size of the German team participating in the World Transplant Games, demonstrating the potential impact of changing Germany's current policy on organ donation.
- The World Transplant Games Dresden, featuring sports such as science, health-and-wellness, and sports, serves not only to showcase the capabilities of people with new organs but also to raise awareness about the pressing issue of low organ donation rates in Germany, promoting a change in attitude towards organ donation and a brighter future for those in need of transplants.