Organ donation rates in Turkey face challenges amid low family consent

Organ donation rates in Turkey remain low, with family consent for brain-dead donors averaging approximately 20%. This figure is significantly lower than European averages, such as Spain, where consent rates reach 80%.

In Trabzon, the family of a patient who died following a brain hemorrhage at Karadeniz Technical University Farabi Hospital provided consent for organ donation. This single decision allowed for the transplantation of two kidneys in Trabzon and a liver in Istanbul, providing new life opportunities for three patients. Prof. Dr. Hülya Ulusoy noted that in the first eight months of 2026, 25 patients were diagnosed with brain death at the hospital, with six families consenting to donation.

Medical experts, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Akif Yazar from Konya City Hospital, highlight that a single donor can potentially provide 7 to 8 organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, small intestine, and pancreas. However, challenges persist due to family concerns regarding the definition of brain death and fears about the physical integrity of the deceased. Currently, over 32,000 people in Turkey are waiting for organ transplants.