# Organ donation awareness and transplant demand in Turkey > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/organ-donation-awareness-in-turkey > Updated: 2026-11-05T11:53:00.000Z. Sources: 35. Developments: 3. During Organ Donation Week, observed from November 3 to 9, health officials in Turkey continue to address a critical shortage of organ donors. More than 33,000 patients are currently on waiting lists, with 28,790 specifically awaiting kidney or liver transplants. While Turkey maintains high rates for living donor transplants, it lags behind European standards for cadaveric donations. The donation rate per million people in Turkey remains approximately 5 to 6, compared to the European Union average of 15 to 20. Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu reported that approximately 5,000 transplants were performed in the last year across 152 active centers. Digital integration through e-Devlet and e-Nabız has significantly impacted the field, leading to a threefold increase in donation declarations and bringing the total number of registered donors close to 1 million. However, medical experts emphasize that digital declarations must be accompanied by communication with family members to prevent uncertainty following brain death. Ahead of the Transplantation 2026 Congress in Denizli, experts from the Turkish Association of Organ Transplantation Coordination Organizations (TONKKD) highlighted a significant imbalance: 80 percent of transplants in Turkey currently use living donors, whereas in many developed nations, cadaveric donations account for 80 percent of transplants. Prof. Dr. Kamil Yalçın Polat noted that religious beliefs are not a barrier, as the Presidency of Religious Affairs views organ donation as a “significant act of charity.” To support awareness, regional activities have been organized, such as an underwater demonstration by police divers in Samsun to represent the struggle of lung transplant patients. Experts warn that approximately 2,500 people die annually in Turkey due to a lack of suitable donors, including nearly 600 children on waiting lists. ## Claims - More than 33,000 patients are waiting for organ transplants in Turkey. (reported by 5 sources) - 28,790 patients are specifically waiting for kidney or liver transplants. (reported by 3 sources) - Organ donation declarations via e-Devlet and e-Nabız have increased three-fold. (reported by 3 sources) - The total number of organ donors in Turkey is approaching 1 million. (reported by 2 sources) - Turkey's cadaveric organ donation rate is 5.48 per million people. (reported by 2 sources) - In the first 10 months of 2026, 4,142 organ transplants were performed. (reported by 2 sources) - In 2025, 5,226 organ transplants were performed in Turkey. (reported by 1 source) - Approximately 83 percent of transplants in Turkey are from living donors. (reported by 1 source) ## Timeline ### 2026-11-05: Turkey medical experts call for increased cadaveric organ donation Turkish medical experts are urging a societal shift toward cadaveric organ donation to support the 30,000 patients currently on waiting lists and reduce the annual death toll caused by donor shortages. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/medical-experts-call-for-increased-cadaver-organ-donation-in-turkey ### 2026-11-03: Turkey organ transplant waiting list reaches 33,000 patients Over 33,000 patients in Turkey are awaiting organ transplants. While digital donation declarations have tripled, officials urge more cadaveric donations to meet the high demand for kidney and liver transplants. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-faces-shortage-as-over-30000-people-await-organ-transplants ### 2026-10-30: Erzurum health officials call for organ donation during awareness week Health officials in Erzurum are launching an awareness campaign for Organ Donation Week, encouraging citizens to register as donors via the e-Nabız application. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/erzurum-health-officials-call-for-organ-donation-during-awareness-week --- Cite as: Organ donation awareness and transplant demand in Turkey. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/organ-donation-awareness-in-turkey