The Foundation For The Defense Of Citizens Against State Abuses (FACIAS) is initiating a nationwide "Call for Life" campaign with the objective of extending the opportunity for life to the thousands of individuals currently on a transplant waiting list. The national transplant crisis has reached a critical point, and FACIAS is urging the relevant authorities to intervene and implement an effective plan of action to address the crisis.
The paucity of donors, deficiencies in infrastructure and absence of an appropriate legislative framework have resulted in a concerning surge in waiting lists and the forfeiture of numerous lives that could have been salvaged through transplantation. This distressing situation is poised to be transformed through the "Call for Life" initiative, which is dedicated to those who rely on transplantation for survival.
FACIAS wishes to bring the issue to the attention of the general public and to encourage both citizens and authorities to take action in response to the urgency of the problem.
The reality in Romania
- In 2023 only 318 transplants were performed in Romania, while 4550 patients are on the waiting list;
- Romania's transplant rate for 2023 is 16.7 transplants per million population.
- Transplants generally require the consent of the individuals involved (or their family members).
- Unrealistic and irresponsible campaigns and information.
What we can change?
- Implementation of concrete measures by the Ministry of Health to solve the transplant crisis in Romania.
- Ensuring adequate support for patients in need of transplants, including access to information and counseling services, as well as financial support to cover the costs associated with the procedure.
- Strategies to reduce transplant waiting times and optimize the procurement and transplantation process.
- Public awareness and education campaigns to encourage organ donation.
FACIAS underscores the necessity for a proactive stance by the authorities to halt this crisis that affects the lives of thousands of Romanians annually. "Call for Life" represents our collective appeal to the authorities, the community, and each individual to take immediate action to transform Romania into a nation where life is prioritised and no person is left behind..
As part of the "Call for Life" campaign, FACIAS received the following proposals:
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Improving Medical Infrastructure
- Increasing hospital capacity: Ensuring hospitals are equipped and staffed to perform transplants.
- Centres of excellence: Develop specialized transplant centres to attract transplant experts and provide the highest quality care.
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Law and Public Policy
- Opt-out vs. Opt-in: Implement a system of presumed consent (opt-out), where all citizens are considered organ donors unless they explicitly opt-out.
- Donor benefits: providing incentives for donor families or living donors, such as covering medical costs or tax benefits.
- Psychological support: providing psychological support and counseling for donor families, both before and after the donation process.
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Research and Development
- Improving preservation techniques: Developing more efficient methods of organ preservation and transportation to extend the window of time in which organs can be successfully transplanted.
- New technologies: Investment in research to develop new technologies, such as artificial organs, xenotransplantation (transplanting organs from animals to humans) and organ regeneration through biotechnology.
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International Cooperation
- International agreements: Cooperation between countries to facilitate the exchange of organs and optimize the use of available global resources.
- Global standardization: Adoption of international standards for donation and transplantation processes to ensure the quality and safety of procedures.
Get involved and suggest a measure to offer a chance to those facing the transplant crisis. Completează formularul.