... the average wait for a kidney
transplant is four years with seven years not being
uncommon.
Less
than 1 in 5 Australians (17%) have had memorable
discussions with their loved ones about their organ
donation wishes according to a recent survey by the
Australian Organ and Tissue
Authority.
The findings have prompted a call by Kidney
Health Australia to Australian families to put organ donation
discussions on their agenda.
Anne Wilson CEO and Managing Director of Kidney Health
Australia said only 6.5% of the 10,000 people on
dialysis receive a kidney
transplant.
With the average wait being four years and in
many cases up to seven years lifting the level of organ
donations is vital.
68% of all transplants in Australia involve the kidney.
Ms Wilson said the number of people going
onto dialysis is expected to escalate from 10,000 to
20,000 in the next ten years.
"Because of Australia's ageing population and the increasing
prevalence of diabetes, it is vital to increase the
level of organ donation from deceased donors.
"The survey also showed a positive attitude
to organ donation with 98% of Australians agreeing that organ and
tissue donation has the potential to save and improve
lives. The
majority (77%) of Australians are willing to become
organ and tissue donors."
However despite this the majority of
Australians (83%) have never discussed their donation
wishes (37%), not really discussed their donation wishes
(15%) or only had a brief discussion
(31%).
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical
Director of Kidney Health Australia said the long wait for a kidney transplant
averaging four and up to seven years has a dramatic
impact on patients and their families both emotionally
and financially. Many patients are forced to travel some
thousands of kilometres a year to access dialysis
services in country and regional areas to stay
alive.
"1.7 million Australians have some
level of kidney disease and do not even know
it."
Dr Mathew said, whilst a person may
have registered as an organ donor they have often not
discussed it with the family resulting in the deceased
persons intent to become a donor not being fulfilled.
Discussion at a family level plays a very important part
in potentially lifting organ donation rates in
Australia for in the final analysis the family will be
asked for their permission to proceed with
donation.
