Italy faces rising organ donation refusals amid regional transplant growth

Italy is experiencing divergent trends in organ transplantation. Data from the National Transplant Center (CNT) shows a rising rate of citizens refusing organ donation when renewing identity cards. In the first half of 2026, the national average for refusal reached 41%, up from 38.5% in January. This trend has significantly impacted availability; in 2025, refusals were estimated to have prevented approximately 2,400 transplants. In the Lombardy region, 1,360 patients remain on waiting lists, primarily for kidney transplants.

Conversely, the Liguria region has reported a significant increase in successful transplant procedures. At the Policlinico San Martino, there has been a notable rise in donations from donors after circulatory death (DCD), which now include heart donations. In 2026, Liguria has seen an increase in total transplants, with liver transplants rising from 21 to 40 and kidney transplants from 25 to 40 compared to the previous year. Officials attribute this success to improved organizational coordination and networking between various medical teams and regional centers.