Council approves resolution to remove objections for organ donations at federal level
In a significant step towards establishing a culture of organ donation, Germany is on the brink of introducing an opt-out system for organ donation. The Federal Council approved an initiative on December 15, 2023, to implement this system, making it one of the few European countries yet to adopt such a policy.
The initiative, proposed by the states of Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse, aims to close the consent gaps in the Transplantationsgesetz (TPG). The opt-out system means that everyone is automatically considered an organ donor unless they or their relatives object.
Currently, organ removals in Germany are only possible with explicit consent. However, data shows that in Baden-Württemberg, the wish of the deceased for organ donation was known in only 35% of potential organ donation cases, and a written declaration of intent for organ donation was available in just 15% of these potential donors.
The low number of organ donations has been a critical issue in Germany, with too many people dying before receiving a donor organ. The stagnation at a low level for ten years has resulted in German patients disproportionately benefiting from donor organs from other countries that have a culture of organ donation.
Minister Lucha, Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Health, expressed his pleasure that the resolution reached the necessary majority. He believes that a paradigm shift towards a culture of organ donation is necessary in Germany. Minister Lucha expects the federal government to deal with the resolution, with the Federal Ministry of Health being responsible.
Despite intensive care unit sensitization campaigns for organ donation, the situation remains critical. Relatives continue to reject organ donation, resulting in the loss of urgently needed organs. The opt-out system, if implemented, could potentially change this trend.
The resolution calls for the opt-out system to be incorporated into the TPG. If implemented, the opt-out system would close the consent gaps in the Transplantationsgesetz, making it easier for families to honour the wishes of their deceased loved ones who were organ donors.
In December 2023, besides Baden-Württemberg, the federal states of Schleswig-Holstein and Saxony-Anhalt also initiated an effort for the introduction of an opt-out system for organ donation in Germany. The goal of the new regulation is to increase the number of organ donors, thereby saving more lives.
As the implementation of the opt-out system moves forward, Germany is taking a significant step towards a culture of organ donation, ensuring that more lives can be saved through organ donation.
