After years of decline, the number of organ donors in Germany has increased again for the first time. By mid-November, 832 donors had been registered - more than in the entire previous year, as the German Foundation for Organ Transplantation (DSO) announced at its annual congress in Frankfurt am Main. In Germany 797 donors were removed from organs in 2017, the lowest level in 20 years.

The number of organs removed increased this year as well. So far, according to the information, 2566 organs from Germany could be referred to seriously ill patients. There were 1317 kidneys, 245 hearts, 286 lungs, 644 livers, 72 pancreases and two small intestines. "Every single organ means hope for critically ill people for whom there are no other therapies," explained the DSO.

Few dispensers: main problem lies in the hospitals

One of the reasons for the positive trend, the organization suspected in the public debate about the low donor numbers. Alone the increased attention for the topic has probably led to "think that physicians and nurses in hospital everyday more often the possibility of organ donation and contact us," said Axel Rahmel, Medical Director of DSO.

The low number of organ donations in Germany can be explained mainly by problems in the hospitals - and not with the low readiness of the population. One study found that clinics rarely approach the DSO with potential organ donors to clarify the possibility of donation. All deceased persons suffering from severe, irreversible brain damage, ventilators, and those without a disease that excludes organ donation can be considered donors.

In addition, the public debate but also led to more discussion in the population, so that the question of a possible organ donation, the relatives rarely unprepared, reports the DSO. Nationwide, according to the organization, about ten thousand seriously ill people are on the waiting list for an organ donation. On average, three of them die every day because a suitable organ is not available on time.

Spahn for contradiction solution

The Federal Government is currently working on strengthening organ donation. Among other things, a bill envisages paying more for clinics and strengthening the position of transplant officers in hospitals. Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) also wants to ensure that the organs can be removed under certain conditions in smaller hospitals.

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The DSO welcomed the initiated reforms. "The measures start right where there are weaknesses in the organization and collaboration with the retrieval hospitals," said Rahmel.

In addition, a contradictory solution is currently being discussed that automatically makes all people in Germany organ donors. Only those who explicitly contradict (also represented by relatives), is excluded. According to the DSO, this regulation could contribute to "making end-of-life organ donation a matter of course". Spahn also supports the introduction of the contradiction solution. So far, an explicit consent for an organ donation is required.