Transplant surgeries may set a record

The total number of organ transplant surgeries performed in China is expected to reach 15,000 this year, which would be a record high and an increase of nearly 50 percent over last year.

After the abolishment of procuring organs for transplant from executed prisoners since the beginning of last year, the number of organs donated after death has increased rapidly, senior officials and experts said.

The surgery totals include transplants using organs from living donors.

China stopped using organs from executed prisoners on Jan 1 last year, when voluntary donations became the only legal source for transplants.