National Organ Transplantation Policy

Despite the increasing numbers of patients in need of organ transplantation following the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as CRF, chronic liver disease, disparities between the supply and demand of transplantable organs are getting increasingly widened. After the "Organ transplatation act" is enacted in 2000, brain death organ is equitably allocated by KONOS and illegal organ bargains are nearly eradicated. But unfortunately, brain death organ donation is not sufficiently activated, because of immature organ donation culture, absence of notification of potential brain death and active organ procurement system, and inflexibe organ donation processes. Ministry of Health and Welfare had made the comprehensive activation plan to solve the organ shortage problems, to increase organ procurments and transplantations at Oct. 2005. The major measures are strengthening the PR and education about organ donation, introduction of notification of potential brain death, and establishment of active organ procurement system through organ procurement organizations, strengthening of national responsibility and support.