Rahael launches organ donor registry

Health Minister John Rahael yesterday launched the organ donor registry for the National Organ Transplant Programme, with an assurance that “access to tissue will be allocated in a fair and equitable manner.” However, for the initial phase of the programme, only organs from cadavers will be harvested. Speaking at the launch of the registry at the ministry’s head office, Rahael said the ministry did not want the trading of organs to start taking place.

Nephrologist Dr Lesley Roberts said although the Human Tissue Transplant Act allows live donors, many things, including an ethics committee, had to be established before this happened. She said, “We don’t want any adverse procurement occurring.” The law prohibits the selling of organs. Rahael said organs donated and harvested would be given on a first-come, first-serve basis and in accordance with established guidelines. He announced that approximately 87 persons needed kidney transplants in TT. Nephrologists in the country have been instructed to develop a formal list of patients requiring surgery.

The ministry has set a target of July for the first transplant at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope. At a media briefing, Rahael showed his commitment to the success of the transplant programme by being the first to sign and fill out the organ/tissue donor card. He said the Permanent Secretary, the Chief Medical Officer and members of the Technical Advisory Committee for the Transplant Programme will also sign the registry. Anyone interested in becoming a donor can contact 627-0010/0014. the ministry’s PBX. Rahael said a direct line will soon be set up. He said the programme had the potential to save hundreds of lives, but its success depended on donors.