Swiss Federal Council approves resolution to address objections against organ donation
Germany Moves Towards Implementing Opt-Out System for Organ Donation
In a significant step towards promoting organ donation, Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Health, Manne Lucha, has led an initiative to introduce an opt-out system for organ donation in Germany. This resolution, which calls for the inclusion of the opt-out system in the Transplantationsgesetz (TPG), received a majority approval in the Bundesrat on December 15, 2023.
The goal of this new regulation is to increase the number of organ donors in Germany, a country that, unfortunately, is one of the few in Europe yet to adopt the opt-out system. The opt-out system means that everyone is automatically considered an organ donor unless they or their relatives object.
Minister Lucha emphasizes the importance of organ donation, stating that it saves lives and expresses hope for a paradigm shift in Germany regarding organ donation. He believes that the opt-out system could establish a culture of organ donation in Germany, reducing the number of lost organs.
Currently, in Baden-Württemberg, only 35% of potential organ donation cases have the deceased's wish known, while a written declaration of intent for organ donation is present in only 15% of potential donors. Relatives in Germany still reject organ donation in some cases, leading to the loss of urgently needed organs.
The federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Health, is responsible for legislative proposals regarding the opt-out system. The resolution to implement the opt-out system has been forwarded to the federal government for further action.
Schleswig-Holstein and Saxony-Anhalt, alongside Baden-Württemberg, initiated the opt-out system for organ donors and achieved a majority approval in the Bundesrat. They collaborated on this legislative effort, aiming to close consent gaps in organ donation.
The Federal Council's approval is a step towards establishing a culture of organ donation in Germany. Minister Lucha is optimistic that this move will encourage more people to consider organ donation, potentially saving countless lives.
Germany currently disproportionately benefits from donor organs from other countries that have a culture of organ donation. Implementing the opt-out system could help alleviate this dependency and ensure a more sustainable supply of organs for those in need.
As the federal government considers the resolution, advocates for organ donation remain hopeful that Germany will join the ranks of countries that have successfully implemented the opt-out system, taking a significant step towards improving healthcare and saving lives.
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