| 21st
February, 2005
Every
Australian household will soon receive an organ donation consent
form under new a plan to increase organ donation rates.
The plan follows a decision by health ministers to change
the Australian Organ Donation Register so that it is based
on legal consent rather than intent.
At present families must give their consent for organs to
be removed for transplant even if a person has put their name
on the Organ Donation Register. The changes mean relatives
will only be able to stop harvesting if they are strongly
opposed.
Speaking at the launch of Australian Organ Donor Awareness
Week in Melbourne last week, Mr Abbott said Australia’s
annual organ donation rate was among the lowest in the world
with about 10 donations for every million people in the population.
Last year 783 people received transplants in Australia from
218 organ donors including cricketer David Hookes. Close to
2,000 Australians are waiting for a transplant at any one
and many die on transplant waiting lists.
From April every Australian household will be sent a letter
inviting them to register their consent at a single national
register.
For more information call 1800 777 203 or visit www.hic.gov.au/organ.
- DAVID ADAMS |
