The Gauteng Department of Health in South Africa (SA) has launched an urgent appeal for citizens to register as organ and tissue donors, highlighting a severe shortfall in donations across the country.
More than 6 500 people are currently on transplant waiting lists nationwide in SA, with approximately 1 100 patients in Gauteng province alone awaiting life-saving kidney transplants. Department Spokesperson Steve Mabona pointed out that a single organ donor can save up to seven lives, while tissue donation can improve the lives of up to 50 people.
Officials are urging South Africans to discuss their wishes openly with relatives to avoid cultural objections and family resistance at the time of donation. Mabona stressed that prior family consent is critical to overcoming widespread misconceptions.
“It’s a challenge, because someone would have agreed, but then by the time we want to implement what was agreed upon, the family says culturally we don’t believe in this,” Mabona said. “That’s why we’re saying the first point of departure, for those who are culturally against this exercise, is to engage the family. Make them understand why you want to do this, because of the different myths and beliefs. It’s important to make them understand that this is a donation to save other lives.”
–ChannelAfrica–
