The number of patients with renal failure in the Kingdom amounts to 18,000 people, according to statistics released by experts recently.
Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) Director General Faisal Shaheen agrees with statistics and paints a grim picture when it comes to renal health for Saudis. “This number is expected to increase by 3,000 cases annually, including 60 percent of these numbers on organ transplantation waiting list, especially with the rise of citizens’ lifespan which increases the potentials of renal failure infection and its associated diseases,” Shaheen said.
Nearly 130 authorizations have been issued last year within the program for organ donations from non-relatives, and the number is expected to double with an awareness campaign launched by the SCOT.
“The SCOT is currently working on improving the number and percentage of transplanted organs to save the greatest number of patients.
We are working in accordance with the findings of the kidney transplant committee, Prince Fahd bin Salman Charity Association for Renal Failure Patient Care (Kellana) and the Cabinet approval of non-relatives donations,” Shaheen explained.
According to the expert, these regulations and rules prohibit commercial practice, protect patients’ and donors’ rights, and limit any medical complications that may arise through this commercial practice.
Sometimes, hope can also rise from tragedy. SCOT claims that they are witnessing a rise in the number of reported brain deaths of up to 4 cases per day, which is an opportunity to obtain their relatives approval for organ donation.
Shaheen noted that the center was facing a problem of unreported brain deaths cases for several reasons. Sometimes the work shifts and rotations lacked the coordination to notify the center about such cases, other times the lack of adequate knowledge of the protocol followed at SCOT got in the way and in other occasions the staff was unaware of the importance of organ donation.
“This program must be considered as the only national therapeutic solution to save organ failure patients in the Kingdom,” Shaheen added.
The Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation has three coordinating offices to activate organ donation in Riyadh, Qassim, the Eastern Province, and Jeddah.
Saudis’ renal health alarming: Expert KSA becomes more aware of the necessity of organ donation
