[REVISION HISTORY]

Organ donation awareness and transplant demand in Turkey

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2026-11-05 13:37 UTC → 2026-11-06 16:13 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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 ~~concluded~~ warn that ~~improving societal perception and systemic trust through education is essential~~ approximately 2,500 people die annually in Turkey due to ~~closing the gap with higher-rate countries.~~ a lack of suitable donors, including nearly 600 children on waiting lists.

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