The demand for organ transplants is high but the source of organ donation is too small

The Ministry of Health says Vietnam has the largest number of organ transplants in Southeast Asia

On the morning of March 5, the Ministry of Health, the National Coordinating Center for Human Body parts Transplantation and units coordinated to organize a workshop on "Strengthening the role of communication and mobilizing tissue and organ donation from donors after brain death".

Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan said that Vietnam has the highest organ transplant rate in Southeast Asia (more than 1,000 cases/year) but the organ donation rate after death is among the lowest in the world.

Tissue and organ transplants are an important medical achievement, helping to save lives and improve the quality of life for thousands of patients with end-stage organ failure. However, according to the Deputy Minister, there is currently no clear mechanism or policy for consultation activities on tissue and organ donation from brain-dead or heart-dead people.

Only a few hospitals have established consultation and organ donation groups due to lack of appropriate treatment. Although communication work has been promoted, it is not yet widespread and effective, many people are still hesitant, have limited understanding, and are even concerned about spirituality and ethics.

"In many developed countries, tissue and organ donation consultation at hospitals is an important part of the health system. The consulting team is well-trained, enjoy reasonable treatment, help the patient's family understand the humanistic meaning of organ donation and make the right decision. This is a model that Vietnam needs to study and apply appropriately," said the Deputy Minister of Health.

The total number of organ transplants in Vietnam from 1992 to present is more than 9,500 cases; the total number of people registering to donate organs nationwide is more than 102,000 people.

In 2024, the number of people registering to donate organs increased rapidly, 3 times compared to the previous figure and the number of brain deaths in organ donation increased by 173% compared to 2023.

"In addition to the achievements, the source of organ donation from dead/brain-dead people is still scarce, while the demand for organ transplants is increasing. Thousands of patients are still waiting, many people do not have the opportunity because of lack of donation resources. The main reason is that community awareness is still limited, communication and mobilization work is not really effective," said Deputy Minister Thuan.

Need to educate about the meaning of organ donation to help others

Sharing his experience in organ donation in Japan, Mr. Shinozaki Naoshi - CEO and Chairman of Nikko Academy Inc - affirmed that no one wants to harm the body of their loved one. Therefore, it is necessary to educate about the meaning of organ donation to help others.

"It is necessary to create a "new standard of living" in a way of awareness and understanding and each country has its own way of understanding (culture, religion...) that needs to be respected," Mr. Shinozaki Naoshi shared.

According to him, the main principle for organ donation is to ensure sufficient donation sources for patients; provide safe organs to patients; and distribute fairly to patients in need of treatment.

Japanese experts recommend that Vietnam should continue to build a legal framework; continue education on organ donation and transplant surgery; community education; professional training for health workers... At the same time, establish an organ donation registration system, everyone can register (through the process of granting CCCD, driver's license, health insurance card...) so that health workers can check information from the hospital when there is a potential donor.