Qatar’s Health Ministry has formed a special committee to draft laws and regulations for the transplantation of organs from brain-dead individuals or conscious donors, reported the Gulf Times on Monday.
“The newly constituted organ transplant committee will draft laws and regulations and lay down procedures for transplantation of organs from brain-dead or living people,” committee chairman Yousef Al Muslemani said.
At a joint press conference with the visiting Irish transplant surgeon, David P. Hickey, at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Yousef said the committee would disseminate data and promote awareness among HMC staff and Qatari society about organ donation.
A special card is being prepared for potential donors, he said.
David, the director of the National Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Centre at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, highlighted the need for an awareness campaign to promote cadaveric organ transplant, which he called "an immensely viable option" to meet the demand for organs.
In cadaveric organ transplant, organs are taken from brain dead patients who are kept alive by a life support machine, after obtaining proper and legal consent from close relatives. While a patient who is brain dead cannot recover, a life support machine can keep the blood circulating and allow organs to be used for transplantation.
“Education of the public and medical profession are the prerequisites to popularize cadaveric organ transplant,” he said, pointing out that “community support is vital if the concept is to succeed.” – Albawaba.com
