“Organ donation rate in the TRNC is well below world average”

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Medicine Academician Assist. Prof. Dr. Handan Doğan reminded that the first kidney transplant in the TRNC was successfully performed in 2015, and stated that organ transplant have continued to improve after that period.

Doğan pointed out that despite successful transplants being carried out in the country, there have not been enough organ donors, and added, “Organ donation rates in the TRNC are below the world average and the aim should be to reach more organ donors through public awareness campaigns on this issue.”

While speaking about what needs to be done to become an organ donor in the country, Dr. Doğan also shared the information that “In the TRNC, individuals over the age of 18 who want to donate their organs or tissues within the framework of the ‘Law on Human Cell, Tissue and Organ Transplantation’ that went into effect in 2014 can easily become donors by filling out a form on the TRNC Ministry of Health’s website.”

Doğan pointed out that an increase in organ donors will give hope to patients waiting for a transplant, and reminded that transplantation is the process of transplanting a healthy organ to replace an organ that has lost its function due to a disease or injury.

Doğan also stated that transplantation is usually performed for vital organs such as kidney, liver, heart and lungs, and said, “Organ transplantation is a treatment method that prolongs the life span of many patients and improves their quality of life. Organ donation forms the basis of transplantation.”

Emphasizing that organs can be donated by both living donors and be removed from individuals who are pronounced brain-dead, Doğan said, “The biggest problem for organ transplantation is the insufficient number of donated organs to meet the need. For this reason, the importance of organ donation is increasing day by day, and for that matter the society needs to be made aware of the significance of this issue.”

Doğan also emphasized that individuals should be informed about organ donation and awareness should be created on this issue while reminding that organ donation will help save  many lives. Doğan also stated that awareness-raising events are organized every year between November 3-9 known as ‘Organ and Tissue Donation Week’, and concluded that “When a person donates all of his/her organs and tissues, lives of patients in need of more than 60 graft and tissue transplant can be saved.”