Muscat: The number of people who pledged to donate organs after death has crossed 12,000 in Oman. Last year, hospitals performed 19 kidney transplants and 11 liver transplants.
This was stated by Dr Qasim bin Mohammed al Jahdhami, Head of the Organ Donation Department at the National Organ Transplant Programme at the Ministry of Health (MoH). “The draft law on donation and transplantation of organs and tissues has reached an advanced stage of preparation. The programme regulates organ transplantation, develops integrated strategies and oversees the waiting lists for patients with organ failure. While endeavouring to meet patients’ need for organs, the programme cautioned against the risk of organ transplantation abroad and falling victim to organ trafficking gangs and black markets.”
Al Jahdhami explained that Oman Centre for Organ Transplantation established with the blessings of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, oversees organ transplantation operations in the Oman through the National Organ Transplant Programme Department. Besides, the Programme lays down integrated strategies and national laws and policies for organ transplantation. It also creates waiting lists for patients with organ failure to determine priority in obtaining organ transplantation. The Programme also sets the necessary standards to ensure donors’ safety the success of transplant operations for recipients.
The National Organ Transplant Programme Department has launched the organ donation programme after brain death provided there is the consent of relatives. Last year, two approvals were obtained as well as three approvals from the relatives of brain-dead people this year, the official said.
Donors can register at the Shifa application. Last year, 15 people donated kidneys.A living donor should have reached the legal age of 18 and be healthy. Besides, the donor should be a relative of the recipient up to the fourth degree. However, it is permissible to donate to non-relatives if the recipient is in dire need of a transplant after obtaining the approval of the competent committee at the Ministry of Health, the official said.
Organ donation after brain death can save the lives of 8 people suffering from organ failure and contribute to improving the quality of life of many patients by donating tissue as well.
A written will is obligatory for post-mortem operation but in exceptional cases, a human organ or tissue may be transferred from a deceased person provided an approval from his/her relatives and the death must be confirmed by the Regulation for the Transfer and Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues, the official said.
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