One registered organ donor can save up to seven lives, and tissue donations can improve the lives of as many as 50 people. That is the hopeful message from the Gauteng Department of Health, which is calling on South Africans to register as organ and tissue donors and give patients on transplant waiting lists a second chance at life.
According to the department, some 6 500 people across the country are currently on waiting lists for organ and tissue transplants, with about 1 100 patients in Gauteng alone either waiting for a kidney transplant or being assessed for placement on the list.
“For those waiting, organ donation represents far more than a medical procedure. It is the possibility of a second chance at life. It may mean a child getting the opportunity to grow up, a parent being able to spend more time with their family, or a patient no longer having to endure regular dialysis treatments,” the department said, as reported by SAnews.
What can be donated
Organs that can be donated include the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas. Tissue donation can include corneas, skin, heart valves, bone, blood vessels and connective tissue, helping to restore sight, improve mobility and significantly enhance recipients’ quality of life.
Living donation is also an option. Healthy people can donate one kidney or portions of the liver and continue living full, normal lives. “Medical advances have made living donation a safe and effective option for many patients in need of a transplant,” the department noted.
South Africa performed approximately 317 solid organ transplants in 2024 across public and private healthcare facilities, and every new registration helps close the gap between demand and supply.
Busting the myths
The department stressed that many hesitations rest on myths. Age alone, or the presence of certain medical conditions, does not automatically prevent a person from becoming a donor; suitability is carefully assessed by medical professionals at the appropriate time.
Families are also encouraged to talk about donation openly. Sharing your decision with loved ones ahead of time can provide comfort and clear guidance if they are ever asked about it.
How to register
Registering is simple and is described by the department as “one of the most selfless acts a person can make”. To become a donor, you can:
- Enquire at your nearest hospital; or
- Register online with the Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa at www.odf.org.za.
“By registering as an organ or tissue donor, individuals can leave behind a legacy of hope and healing. Every donor has the power to transform multiple lives,” the department said.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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