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The contents of this box can save lives
Photo: Soeren Stache / dpa
What is it about?
According to surveys, a large majority of people generally have a positive attitude towards organ donation after death.
The only thing is that many people keep putting off making a concrete decision - whether for or against it - or don't put it in writing.
The new, central register as part of a law passed by the Bundestag in 2020 is intended to apply here.
The aim is therefore “to strengthen the willingness to make decisions regarding organ donation”.
How does the register work?
An entry on the organspende-register.de website first requires various technical requirements: You need an ID card in credit card format with an activated online function (you can find information about this online ID function here) or a card reader for your computer.
Also required: a smartphone or tablet with the ability to exchange data wirelessly or a card reader for a computer.
Another thing you should have ready: your health insurance number.
The register will go into operation gradually: From now on, people aged 16 and over can submit a declaration for or against organ donation.
From July, registration should also be possible using a health ID that insured people receive from their health insurance company.
By July 1st, clinics should be able to search for and access declarations in the register.
Entry is voluntary and free of charge.
What exactly can you specify in the register?
In the register you can choose from five options:
"Yes, I allow organs and tissue to be removed from my body after my death has been medically declared,"
»Yes, I allow this, with the exception of the following organs/tissues«,
"Yes, I allow this, but I would only like to release certain organs/tissues for donation,"
“The following person should decide whether yes or no,”
"No, I object to the removal of organs or tissues."
Entries can be changed or deleted at any time.
How is the security of my data?
The portal is set up at the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.
According to the institute, the data is on a server in Germany.
Authentication procedures are intended to ensure that only the declarant and authorized clinical staff can access entries.
I have a donation card.
Why an online declaration?
The register is just another way to document the decision; written declarations via living will or organ donor card remain valid.
You can get organ donation cards, for example, in pharmacies, doctor's offices or on the website organspende-info.de.
But papers could get lost or not be found in an emergency, argues Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD).
An entry in the register ensures clarity and security.
And it makes it easier for doctors to clarify whether they are willing to donate quickly and reliably.
“Above all, it relieves relatives of having to make a difficult decision in an emergency,” says Lauterbach.
In general, the following applies to declarations, whether on paper or digitally: the most current version always applies.
How great is the need?
Last year, 965 people donated one or more organs after their death.
That was 96 more than after a sharp decline in 2022, as the coordinating German Organ Transplantation Foundation announced.
At the same time, almost 8,400 people were on the waiting lists for a transplant.
According to the European Eurotransplant Association, a new kidney is needed most often (6500 people).
Around 870 people are waiting for a new liver and 690 are hoping for a heart donation.
With around ten donors per million inhabitants, Germany is far behind in international comparison.
The statistics for 2022 are led by Spain (around 46 donors/million inhabitants) and the USA (45.5).
In order for organ donations to even be an option, two specialists must independently confirm the complete and irreversible failure of the cerebrum, cerebellum and brainstem.
In fact, it is a widespread fear that a person willing to donate may be declared brain dead prematurely.
You can see what the German Organ Transplantation Foundation says about these and other myths about organ donation in this video:
What are the chances of success?
It remains to be seen to what extent the register is known and used.
Regular food for thought should help: family doctors should inform patients about organ donations every two years if necessary.
Anyone who applies for or extends an identity card should receive information material in the office.
The German Foundation for Patient Protection, however, complained that a more extensive, citizen-oriented registration option that is actually set out in the law is currently missing: directly in the ID card offices.
There are no data protection secure computer terminals in any passport office.
Of course, the previous simple methods via living will or organ donor card remained and were binding.
And yet: “Those inexperienced with the Internet are excluded from the additional digital offering.”
sak/AFP/dpa