Erzincan Health Directorate drew attention to the importance of organ donation on the occasion of November 3-9 Organ Donation Week.
Stating that diseases whose treatment is only possible with organ and tissue transplantation are one of the important health problems in our country as in the whole world, Erzincan Health Directorate made the following statement on the subject:
“Organ transplantation is the process of replacing an organ that cannot perform its function in the body with a healthy organ taken from a living donor or dead person.
Organ donation is also when a person allows and documents the use of his/her tissues and organs for the treatment of other patients after the end of his/her medical life with his/her free will. It is important to remember that every donation is a new life. The High Council of Religious Affairs of the Presidency of Religious Affairs has declared that organ transplantation is permissible and defined organ donation as the greatest help that man can give to man.
In our country, organ donations are carried out under the control and supervision of the Ministry of Health. Organ distribution is carried out in the most fair and transparent way through the “Turkey Organ and Tissue Transplantation Information System”.
What is organ-tissue donation?
Organ donation is the act of a person who, of his/her own free will, wills some or all of his/her organs to be used for the treatment of other patients after his/her death. Anyone over 18 years of age and of sound mind can donate organs and tissues.
Can the organs and tissues of everyone who donates organs and tissues be used?
Even if organ donation has been made, organ transplantation is not possible after every death. For example, the organs of people who died at home, on the street, in the emergency room or in any hospital ward cannot be used for organ donation in our country.
Only the organs of people who die in intensive care units connected to a respirator, i.e. who are brain dead, can be transplanted.
What is brain death and how is it diagnosed?
In brain death, brain functions are completely lost, there is no return, complete and definitive death has occurred, this should not be confused with vegetative state. In order to diagnose brain death, a number of tests must be performed. As a result of these tests, two physicians who are experts in their field decide whether brain death has occurred or not, and then this decision is notified to the family.
Is permission obtained from the family with or without an organ donor card?
Regardless of whether they have an organ donor card or not, the families of all cases of brain death are interviewed. This meeting is conducted by the organ transplant coordinator. No one's organs can be harvested and used without the consent of the family.
Can the organs be transplanted to anyone?
Transplantation procedures are carried out by the National Coordination System within the Ministry of Health and all procedures are recorded and documented. Organ distribution is based on blood and tissue group compatibility among those registered on national waiting lists, primarily in patients with medical urgency. No distinction is made between religion, language, race, gender, rich or poor. The identity information of the recipient and donor cannot be disclosed without the permission of the families. Confidentiality is required by law.
Does advanced age or chronic illness prevent organ donation?
Advanced age, the presence of a chronic disease, alcohol or cigarette smoking and similar reasons do not prevent organ donation.
Can organ donation be revoked after donation?
When organ donation is renounced, it is sufficient to share this new decision with the family, cancel it via the E-Government system and destroy the organ donation card.
Is there any religious objection?
The High Council of Religious Affairs of the Presidency of Religious Affairs has defined organ donation as the greatest help that human beings can give to human beings. With its decision dated 06.03.1980 and numbered 396, it declared that organ transplantation is permissible. In the Holy Qur'an, it is stated in Surah Maide, Verse 32: “Whoever gives life to a person, he gains reward as if he had given life to all human beings.”
Where to apply for organ donation?
Provincial or District Health Directorates, State Hospitals, University Hospitals, Private Hospitals, Family Medicine Centers, Community Health Centers.
What is the legal dimension of organ donation?
The law dated 29.05.1979 and numbered 2238 specifies the legal dimension of organ donation. According to this law
Article 6: In order to be able to receive organs and tissues from every person who has reached the age of 18 and is competent, a physician must approve the written and privileged record, which the donor has declared and signed verbally in the presence of at least two witnesses, in a clear conscious and unaffected manner, or verbally in the presence of at least two witnesses.
Article 14: If a person has not stated in an official or written will or has not disclosed in the presence of two witnesses that he/she has left his/her whole body or tissues for treatment, diagnosis and scientific purposes in his/her lifetime, organs and tissues may be taken from the dead with the consent of his/her spouse, his/her adult children, his/her parents or one of his/her siblings; if these are not available, with the consent of any relative present with him/her.”
İHA Haber Kodu: 20241104AW321769