National Action Plan on Organ Donation and Transplantation 2015−2018
sosiaali- ja terveysministeriö
2015
Julkaisusarja:
Julkaisuja 2014:23This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-00-3734-5Tiivistelmä
The National Action Plan on Organ Donation and Transplantation for the years 2015–2018 was prepared on the basis of a proposal that was developed by an expert group appointed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
Organ transplantation is the best, and in many cases the only available treatment for end-stage organ failure. Due to a chronic shortage of organs, however, every year between 5 and 10 per cent of persons waiting for transplantation die before receiving a transplant. On the other hand, some studies suggest that donor hospitals fail to identify a significant number of deceased potential organ donors.
The main objective of the Action Plan is to ensure that all patients in need of organ transplantation have timely and fair access to transplants. Achieving this objective will require identifying every potential donor. Another aim of the Action Plan is to increase the number of kidney transplantations by enhancing living donation.
In order to improve the efficiency of the transplantation system, it is necessary to establish a national steering group for organ donation that will be responsible for developing, coordinating and monitoring activities at the national level. In addition, there is a need for a national coordinator for organ donation. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the specific catchment areas (the future social welfare and health care regions) will work together to create the post of national coordinator. Catchment areas are responsible for providing guidance and support to donor hospitals and for monitoring activities within their areas. Additionally, every donor hospital will need to set up a donor coordination team that will be in charge of organ donation and related training activities within the hospital.
Both patients waiting for organ transplantation as well as the municipalities that finance the health services stand to gain from a more efficient transplantation system. Kidney transplantation is one of the most cost-effective treatments. It has been estimated that a functioning kidney transplant delivers a benefit to society of €500,000 compared to dialysis.
Organ transplantation is the best, and in many cases the only available treatment for end-stage organ failure. Due to a chronic shortage of organs, however, every year between 5 and 10 per cent of persons waiting for transplantation die before receiving a transplant. On the other hand, some studies suggest that donor hospitals fail to identify a significant number of deceased potential organ donors.
The main objective of the Action Plan is to ensure that all patients in need of organ transplantation have timely and fair access to transplants. Achieving this objective will require identifying every potential donor. Another aim of the Action Plan is to increase the number of kidney transplantations by enhancing living donation.
In order to improve the efficiency of the transplantation system, it is necessary to establish a national steering group for organ donation that will be responsible for developing, coordinating and monitoring activities at the national level. In addition, there is a need for a national coordinator for organ donation. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the specific catchment areas (the future social welfare and health care regions) will work together to create the post of national coordinator. Catchment areas are responsible for providing guidance and support to donor hospitals and for monitoring activities within their areas. Additionally, every donor hospital will need to set up a donor coordination team that will be in charge of organ donation and related training activities within the hospital.
Both patients waiting for organ transplantation as well as the municipalities that finance the health services stand to gain from a more efficient transplantation system. Kidney transplantation is one of the most cost-effective treatments. It has been estimated that a functioning kidney transplant delivers a benefit to society of €500,000 compared to dialysis.