Steps to becoming an organ or tissue donor in SA

By Katlego Sekhu

The number of patients waiting for organ and tissue transplants continues to increase as there is a great shortage of potential donors.

In 2021, it was reported that over 4300 South Africans were in need of an organ or tissue donation. Still, only 1.4 donors per million people are registered organ donors.

Organ/tissue donation is the process of surgically removing an organ or tissue from one person (the donor), for transplant to another (the recipient), legally. The process requires consent from the donor, although the next of kin will have the final say at the time of your death.

Transplantation is the process of taking an organ or living tissue and implanting it in another part of the body or in another body.

Kaya 959 speaks to the Organ Donor Foundation of SA‘s National Liaison Officer, Julie Purkis who answers some of your burning questions and debunks myths about organ and tissue donation.

WHO CAN BE AN ORGAN / TISSUE DONOR?

Anyone who is in good health and is clear of defined chronic diseases that might adversely affect the recipient will be considered as a possible donor.

There is no cost to sign up as an organ/tissue donor and no medical tests are necessary to register.

Having a pre-existing medical condition does not necessarily prevent a person from becoming an organ and/or tissue donor. The decision about which organs and/or tissue will be transplanted will be established at your time of death.

DO I NEED MEDICAL TESTS TO REGISTER AS A DONOR?

No, medical tests will only be carried out at the time of death. This will involve medical professionals evaluating your medical and social history, carrying out blood and culture tests, and conducting a physical examination. This is done to ensure that your organs and tissue are suitable for donation.

HOW DO I BECOME A POTENTIAL ORGAN / TISSUE DONOR?

The process is simple. Register online or call the Organ Donor Foundation’s toll-free line on 0800 22 66 11.

They will then send you a small organ donor card to fill in and carry in your wallet and a sticker to put on your ID document and on your driver’s license.

Then discuss the decision with your family. Let them know that you want to donate your organs/tissue after death and ask them to honour your wish when you die. Your family will have the final say at the time of your death.

CAN I DONATE AN ORGAN / TISSUE WHILE I AM ALIVE?

Yes! In South Africa, it is possible (in specific cases) to donate a kidney or a part of your liver, to a person in need should you be a blood group and tissue type match. There are 3 types of living donations:

Living related donations

Non-related donations

Altruistic donations

NB: The Department of Health needs to approve the donation if the person is not directly related, a friend or an altruistic donor.

Read stories from people who have donated an organ or tissue here.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE WHO CAN DONATE THEIR ORGANS SHOULD, AND WHICH ORGANS/TISSUE CAN BE TRANSPLANTED?

There are thousands of patients of all ages, awaiting life-saving transplants in South Africa at any given time.

Organ & tissue donation is a Gift of Life from one family to another, and most religions support organ and tissue donation, as it is consistent with life preservation.

Organs: Your heart, liver, and pancreas can save 3 lives and your kidneys and lungs can save up to 4 people. You can save 7 lives.

Tissue: You can help up to 50 people by donating your corneas, skin, bone, tendons, and heart valves.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION

An organ transplant takes place after an individual has been declared brain dead but is still being supported on a ventilator, whereas tissue retrieval can still take place several hours and even days after death.

Another difference is that the recipient will receive the donated organ shortly after retrieval, whilst tissue is usually stored in a special Tissue Bank and is therefore available for use as and when needed.

NB: Legislation requires brain death to be certified by two independent doctors.

STEPS YOUR FAMILY NEEDS TO TAKE TO ENSURE YOUR WISHES ARE CARRIED OUT:

Speak to the medical professional attending to your loved one – physician, ICU & trauma unit nurse, neurologist, etc. Inform them of your loved ones’ wishes (to be a donor).

Ask for contact details of the closest transplant centre or call the Organ Donor Foundation’s Toll-Free Line 0800 22 66 11 for assistance.

Two doctors, who are completely independent of the transplant team, have to perform detailed tests before a person can be declared brain dead. The criteria for brain death are very strictly adhered to and accepted medically, legally, and ethically in South Africa and internationally.

All potential organ donors are patients on support systems. Tests are carried out to determine brain death. Once brain death is certified, permission is obtained for organ donation. Death of the organ donor is defined by the time of certification of brain death, not by the withdrawal of support.

DOES BEING A DONOR DELAY THE FUNERAL?

No, as soon as the donated organs/tissue has been removed, the body is returned to the family to bury or cremate.

WILL ORGAN / TISSUE DONATION LEAVE MY BODY DISFIGURED?

No, the utmost respect and dignity is given to the donor at all times. The recovery of organs and tissue is carried out with great care by surgeons and trained staff and the process does not change the way the body looks.

IS THERE ANY COST INVOLVED IN SIGNING UP AS AN ORGAN / TISSUE DONOR?

No, it costs nothing to sign up as an organ/tissue donor.

DOES MY FAMILY PAY FOR THE COST OF DONATION?

No, the donor and his/her family will not incur any costs. The hospital or Tissue Bank will cover all medical expenses from the moment your family has given consent for the donation of organs/tissue.

WOULD MY FAMILY RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR DONATING MY ORGANS / TISSUE?

No, organ/tissue donation is a gift.

CAN PEOPLE BUY OR SELL ORGANS AND TISSUE?

No, organ/tissue donation is a Gift of Life from one family to another. Trading in organs and tissue is illegal and prohibited.

WILL I KNOW WHO RECEIVES MY LOVED ONE’S ORGANS / TISSUE?

For privacy and legislative reasons, donors and recipients are not identified.

CAN I CHANGE MY MIND?

Yes, you can change your mind at any time. Simply tear up your organ donor card and remove the sticker from your ID document and driver’s license. Please inform your family that you no longer wish to be an organ/tissue donor.

Written by: Katlego

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