August is National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month in South Africa, a time to have the conversation that many of us keep putting off.
The Reality of Organ Failure in South Africa
Kidney failure is a growing concern in South Africa. Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and HIV-associated nephropathy are among the leading causes of renal failure in our population.
When both kidneys fail, a person can no longer survive without either dialysis or a kidney transplant. Dialysis keeps patients alive, but it is not a cure. It is a demanding and costly treatment requiring approximately 12 hours per week in a dialysis centre.
A successful transplant can restore a person’s quality of life in a way that dialysis simply cannot.
The Waiting List
At any given time, more than 4,300 people in South Africa are waiting for an organ transplant. In contrast, fewer than 600 transplants are performed annually, meaning that those desperate to live either wait for years or die in the interim.
The waiting list for a kidney in South Africa is between one and 15 years, and approximately 20,000 new patients are diagnosed with kidney failure every year.
What makes this particularly difficult is that awareness, cultural beliefs, religious misunderstandings and a lack of information all contribute to a serious shortage of registered donors.
South Africa’s Transplant Expertise
Here is something worth knowing: South Africa is a world leader in the field of organ transplantation. The expertise and the facilities exist. What is needed is more donors.
What Is Organ and Tissue Donation?
Organ donation is the act of giving one or more of your organs to help someone else live a healthier or longer life. One donor can save up to 7 lives and transform over 50 lives through the donation of organs and tissues.
In South Africa, there are two types of kidney donation:
Deceased donor donation, solid organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas can only be donated if the donor has been diagnosed with brain death and is on a ventilator in hospital. The donor’s body is treated with dignity and respect throughout the process.
Living donor donation, live donations do occur in South Africa, but currently only between family members, and are usually for kidneys or part of a liver. Altruistic live donations from strangers are not yet advised in South Africa, as the infrastructure to provide adequate post-donation support for unrelated donors is not yet in place.
Common Concerns Addressed
“Will doctors do everything they can to save me if I am a registered donor?”
Yes. Medical teams treat every patient with the sole objective of saving their life. Two doctors who are completely independent of the transplant team must perform detailed tests before a person can be declared brain dead. The criteria for brain death are very strictly adhered to and accepted medically, legally and ethically in South Africa and internationally.
“Is organ donation against my religion?”
Most religions support organ and tissue donation as it is consistent with life preservation. If you are unsure, you should speak to your spiritual leader.
“Will my body be treated with respect?”
The recovery of organs and tissue is carried out with great care by surgeons and trained staff, and the process does not change the way the body looks. Donation does not prevent an open casket funeral.
“Can I change my mind?”
Yes. You can change your mind at any time by tearing up your organ donor card and removing the sticker from your ID document and driver’s licence.
How to Register as an Organ Donor in South Africa
Members of the public can register online on the Organ Donor Foundation website, by filling out a form and forwarding it to the ODF, or by downloading the ODF App onto their cellphone.
Once registered, you will receive a small organ donor card to carry in your wallet, as well as a sticker to put on your ID document and driver’s licence.
Visit www.odf.org.za or call 0800 22 66 11 (toll-free).
Registration takes less than a minute.
Most importantly: tell your family. A conversation today could save a life tomorrow.
One Decision. Multiple Lives.
This Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Month, we encourage you to learn more, register your decision, and have the conversation with the people you love.
It costs nothing. But to someone on the waiting list, it could mean everything. For more information or to register, visit the Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa at www.odf.org.za or call 0800 22 66 11 (toll-free).
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At SWL Financial Services, we believe in supporting the wellbeing of the communities we serve, not only through financial planning, but through awareness of the issues that affect the lives of South Africans every day.
This content is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please consult a qualified financial adviser before making financial decisions.
