Luxembourg's Ministry of Health is encouraging organ donation on the occasion of World Organ Donation Day, on 17 October.
With an average of 11.6 donors per one million inhabitants in 2018, Luxembourg is among the worst performing countries and is even in the penultimate position at the European level (Eurotransplant average: 15.4).
In Luxembourg, 76 residents were waiting for an organ transplant in 2019. As of 1 October, fifteen of these patients had received transplants. So far this year, there have been only four active donors in the Grand Duchy, providing six kidneys, three hearts, three livers, two pancreas, two lungs and eight tissues. This has decreased over the past two years when there were seven (2018) and nine (2017) organ donors respectively.
In light of these figures, Luxembourg's Ministry of Health has decided to better inform the population about this alarming situation and to recall that organ donation is an act of generosity and solidarity that can save lives.
It is recalled that, according to the 1982 law on the removal of organs and tissues, there is a presumption of solidarity in Luxembourg: it is presumed that everyone agrees to donate organs after death, unless he or she has explicitly expressed their refusal. Yet, in practice, health professionals confronted with the case of a potential donor, always ask relatives of the deceased for their consent. In many cases, the families refuse.
As such, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Luxembourg-Transplant, will provide the public with an information leaflet on the subject, as well as the "Passeport de Vie" card on which holders can express their consent or refusal to donate their organs after death. This testimony will then facilitate the work of medical teams and relieve relatives of a heavy emotional burden in a difficult and often unexpected situation. Individuals interested in becoming an organ donor can download the Passeport de Vie app via Google Play or the App store and order the card online. In addition, the card and information leaflet can be ordered free of charge via tel.: 247-85569 or downloaded from the health portal: www.dondorganes.lu.
To further spread awareness of this organ shortage, Luxembourg-Transplant, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health is organising its 11th awareness-raising Spinning Marathon this Sunday 20 October 201 at LuxExpo The Box, from 10:00 to 18:25. For this edition, more than 1,200 participants are expected to show their solidarity with patients waiting for an organ transplant. Many will also be transplant patients wishing to illustrate their return to active life after their transplant. This year will also see Her Royal Highness Princess Claire in attendance from 15:00.
Luxembourg-Transplant is the managing body for organ donations in Luxembourg and is affiliated to Eurotransplant, the European organ donation and transplantation centre. Additional information on organ donation is available at www.dondorganes.public.lu or via e-mail: luxtransplant@gmail.com.
