In South Africa, less than one per cent of the population is registered to be an organ donor. This is worrying due to there being many South Africans waiting to have life-saving organ transplant surgery.
According to Health24, less than 0,2% of South Africans registered as organ donors. This is affecting South Africa as there are more than 4 300 adults and children who are waiting to have an organ or a corneal transplant.
By registering as an organ donor, you are giving someone the gift of life. Your donation can save the lives of up to seven people who really need organs.
How to register to become an organ donor in South Africa:
Visit the website: www.odf.org.za or give the foundation a phone call: 0800 22 66 11
Once you have signed up, you will receive a card to carry with you which states that you would like your organs to be donated.
FAQs on Organ Donation to help make your decision:
HOW DO I BECOME A POTENTIAL ORGAN / TISSUE DONOR?
The process is straightforward. Register online or call the Organ Donors Foundation’s toll-free line on 0800 22 66 11. We will then send you a small organ donor card to fill in and carry in your wallet. We will also send you a sticker to put on your ID document and on your driver’s license. It is very important to discuss the decision with your family. Let them know that you want to donate your organs/tissue after death. Ask them to honour your wish when you die.
WHO CAN BE AN ORGAN / TISSUE DONOR?
Any person who is in good health and free of defined chronic diseases that might adversely affect the recipient will be considered a possible donor.
CAN I BE A DONOR IF I HAVE AN EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITION?
Having a medical condition does not necessarily prevent a person from becoming an organ/tissue donor. The decision about which organs/tissue will be transplanted will be established at your time of death.
DO I NEED MEDICAL TESTS TO REGISTER AS A DONOR?
No. Medical tests will only be carried out at the time of death. This will involve medical professionals evaluating your medical and social history, carrying out blood and culture tests and conducting a physical examination. This is done to ensure that your organs and tissue are suitable for donation.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION?
An organ transplant takes place after an individual has been declared brain dead but is still being supported on a respirator, whereas tissue retrieval can still take place several hours and even days after death. Another difference is that the recipient will receive the donated organ shortly after retrieval, whilst tissue is usually stored in a special Tissue Bank and is therefore available for use as and when needed.
WHICH ORGANS CAN BE TRANSPLANTED?
Your heart, liver, and pancreas can save 3 lives, and your kidneys and lungs can help up to 4 people. Thus, you can save 7 lives.
WHICH TISSUES CAN BE TRANSPLANTED?
Donating your corneas, skin, bone, tendons, and heart valves can help up to 50 people.
CAN I AGREE TO DONATE ONLY SOME ORGANS OR TISSUE AND NOT OTHERS?
Yes. Please inform your family which organs/tissue you do not wish to donate.
HOW SOON AFTER DEATH SHOULD THE ORGANS / TISSUE BE REMOVED?
It is essential that organs are removed as soon as possible after brain death has been declared in order to ensure successful transplantation. The legislation requires brain death to be certified by two independent doctors. In the case of tissue, a donation can take place up to a few days after death. Many people die at work or on the roads and never make it to the hospital. In such instances an organ donation would not be possible, however, a tissue donation, which is equally needed and valuable, can be successfully carried out.
WILL I KNOW WHO RECEIVES MY LOVED ONE’S ORGANS / TISSUE?
For privacy and legislative reasons, donors and recipients are not identified.
IS THERE ANY COST INVOLVED IN SIGNING UP AS AN ORGAN / TISSUE DONOR?
No, it costs nothing to sign up as an organ/tissue donor.
DOES MY FAMILY PAY FOR THE COST OF THE DONATION?
No, the donor and his/her family will not incur any costs. The hospital or Tissue Bank will cover all medical expenses from the moment your family has given consent for the donation of organs/tissue.
CAN I DONATE AN ORGAN / TISSUE WHILE I AM ALIVE?
Yes, in some cases. Live donations, such as a kidney are often done between family members because the blood groups and tissue types are more compatible. This ensures a higher success rate.
HOW DO DOCTORS KNOW I AM REALLY DEAD?
Two doctors, who are completely independent of the transplant team, have to perform detailed tests before a person can be declared brain dead. The criteria for brain death are very strictly adhered to and accepted medically, legally and ethically in South Africa and internationally.
DOES ORGAN / TISSUE DONATION LEAVE MY BODY DISFIGURED?
No. The donor is always treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Surgeons and trained staff carry out the recovery of organs and tissue with great care, and the process does not change the way the body looks.
STEPS YOUR FAMILY NEEDS TO TAKE TO ENSURE YOUR WISHES ARE CARRIED OUT:
Speak to the medical professional attending to your loved one – physician, ICU & trauma unit nurse, neurologist, etc. and inform them of your loved one’s wishes. Ask for contact details of the closest transplant centre or call the Organ Donor Foundation’s Toll-Free Line at 0800 22 66 11 for assistance.
CAN I CHANGE MY MIND?
Yes. You can change your mind at any time. Simply tear up your organ donor card and remove the sticker from your ID document and driver’s license. Please inform your family that you no longer wish to be an organ/tissue donor.
References:
- ODF
- Statistics that’ll encourage you to become an organ donor today
- Less than 0.2% of SA are organ donors
Medical Gap Cover Questions & Queries
You can get a Gap Cover plan to cover any medical aid in-hospital shortfalls. Having medical aid is the first step, but even then, you might have to cover costs to cover the differences between what a doctor may charge over and above medical aid rates.
If you have any more questions about TRA Gap Cover, why not contact our helpful specialists? You can also visit our Gap Cover page here.
