Donated organs save lives

MULTIPLE deaths due to the unavailability of organ donations have prompted the National Department of Health to highlight the importance of the life-saving contribution.

Its call is not limited to organs, but also blood and tissue.

The 2022 organ donation campaign commemorated under the theme, “A life after mine”, urges people to become lifesavers by donating their organs.

A single organ donor can save up to seven lives, and at the same time improve the quality of life of many people by removing the emotional and psychological burden, according to the Department of Health.

There are 2 780 people on the waiting list for organ transplants.

Foster Mohale, director of media relations for the National Health Department, said the waiting lists were growing while more people, including young children, were dying.

Mohale said although the public was aware of blood donation, there was less knowledge of organ donation.

“We don’t believe a lack of organ donation or involvement has anything to do with cultural and religious beliefs, but with limited knowledge, hence the department has joined hands with stakeholders, such as the Organ Donor Foundation, and including civil society organisations to raise awareness about this important campaign.

“A number of people have benefited from donations across cultural and religious differences, and their lives have been changed,” said Mohale.

Anyone can volunteer to donate once they reach 18 years.

The common forms of organ donation include live donations, in which donors who are alive can donate organs such as a kidney and a part of the liver, because human beings can survive with one kidney and the liver is the only organ in the body that is known to regenerate itself.

Organ donor volunteers can participate in this life-saving campaign by going to their nearest hospital to ask for assistance on the steps to follow to donate, or contact the provincial or national department of health directly. Alternatively, they can visit the Organ Donor Foundation website (www.odf. org.za) and sign up.