Push for organ donors

The Health Ministry is considering a strategy to increase organ-donation rates. The aim is to educate intensive-care unit doctors to encourage families to agree to organ donation.

Although more than a million New Zealanders are listed as organ donors on their drivers' licences, the decision is ultimately with their families and the donation rate is low.

A national study published last year found that 104 of the 1404 people who died in intensive-care units between April 1999 and March 2000 were suitable donors, but only 38 donated organs.

The study also said doctors avoided asking for consent from the families of 35 potential donors, while 31 families refused consent.

Meanwhile, four people died last year waiting for liver transplants and 18 people are on the list. About 300 people are waiting for kidney transplants and about 30 for a heart, lungs or pancreas.

Janice Langlands, of the National Transplant Donor Co-ordination Office at Auckland Hospital, said part of the solution was educating doctors.

Overseas studies showed that training doctors had the greatest impact on donation rates. South Australia and Spain had achieved good results.

Families usually agreed to donations if they knew it was what the patient wanted.

The office has asked the ministry for money to create a new medical director position, to undertake education and advocacy work.

- NZPA