New campaign to recruit organ donors from brain dead patients

Thailand is to launch a campaign to encourage more people to donate their organs in order to help the thousands that are awaiting organ transplants according to Pradit Sintawanarong, Thailand’s health minister. He said that last year there were approximately 3,500 patients that were waiting for organ transplants but only 136 donors.

He went on to say that the percentage of donors is 15% below the international average. He is now setting a target of 1,000 organ donors a year. This number is hoped to be achieved by the launch of campaign next year to encourage Thai’s to commit to donating their organs if they become brain dead, or those of their relatives who are already brain dead.

Many Thai Buddhists believe that removing organs at the time of death may have a negative effect in the next reincarnation.

Most patients seeking transplants suffer from kidney, liver, pancreas or heart ailments, according to the Health Ministry.

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