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This is much lower than Spain, the world’s leading country as far as organ donors are concerned.
The country has almost 49 organ donors per million of the population.South Africa has a detailed legal framework governing the donation, removal, use and further processing of tissue and human organs.
No one may be coerced, directly or indirectly, to donate tissue. And no form of undue pressure may be used to influence a person’s decision to donate.The legal provisions relating to human tissue are clear. These cover the requirements for the removal, use, processing and transplantation of human tissue in detail.
Those relating to organ donation are unfortunately not correctly understood.
In practice donor’s wishes are often overridden by family members.As it stands, potential donors must register with the Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa so that at the time of their death relevant parties are aware of their wishes. The fact that these can be overridden by family members means that the rights (and wishes) of donors are often not respected.
Yet a lack of awareness and understanding of tissue and organ donation perpetuates ignorance and inaction.
Research points to lots of additional factors. These range from religious and cultural beliefs, to public perception, such as suspicion of the biomedical system, negative media portrayal of tissue and organ donation as well as reports of unethical research elsewhere on the African continent.
Organ and tissue donation is often regulated by either an “opt-in” or “opt-out” system. Spain follows an “opt-out” system. This means all adults are deemed to have agreed to be an organ or tissue donor when they die, unless they have recorded their decision not to donate, or belong to some of the excluded groups.
South Africa works on an “opt-in” system, as is the case in Australia, Canada and Germany.There are numerous benefits to an “opt-out” system. The most important is that it increases the availability of organs or tissue for transplantation.
However, an “opt-out” system is not ideal for South Africa for a number of reasons.
Organ and tissue donation has not received the priority that it should have from the South African government. A few concrete steps would make a dramatic difference.
The Conversation Africa is an independent source of news and views from the academic and research community. Its aim is to promote better understanding of current affairs and complex issues, and allow for a better quality of public discourse and conversation.
Go to: https://theconversation.com/africa