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The latest figures from the Organ Donor Foundation show that there are currently over 3 500 South Africans waiting for organ and tissue transplants. Sadly, as a result of this critical shortage less than 1 000 of them will receive a transplant and the "Gift of Life" in 2009.
In South Africa, in 2007, there were 688 organ and cornea transplants. Exactly 288 of these were solid organ transplants broken down into the following:
- Hearts: 24 adults and 2 paediatric
- Heart/lung: 0
- Lungs: 7 adults
- Livers: 24 adults, 2 adolescent and 9 paediatric
- Simultaneous kidney/pancreas: 10 adults. These transplants were all carried out in Johannesburg.
- Simultaneous kidney/liver: 1 paediatric
- Kidneys: 195 adult, 7 adolescent and 7 paediatric of which:
- 57 adult, 7 adolescent and 7 paediatric transplants were live related
- 14 adult kidney transplants were non-related
- 34% of kidney donors were related to the recipient
- 356 adults, 29 adolescents and 15 children had their sight restored through a cornea transplant.
The transplant statistics for 2008 isn't available as yet.
Phone the Organ Donor Foundation, toll free, on 0800 22 6611 or visit www.odf.org.za for more information.
– (Organ Donor Foundation, updated December 2008)
