Organ Donor Rates Plummet to New Record Low

*****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*****

Andy Tookey - GiveLife NZ

5 January 2007

Organ Donor Rates Plummet to New Record Low

Figures released today reveal that there were just 25 organ donors for 2006. Down from the previous record low of 29 organ donors in 2005. Prior to 2005 New Zealand averaged 40 organ donors a year, still considered low by international standards.

The figures put New Zealand in between Iceland and Mexico for the number of donors it has, at just 6 donors per million of population.

At the other end of the scale Spain records approximately 35 donors per million of population, USA at 21 and the UK at 10.7.

Andy Tookey from GiveLife NZ who has been campaigning for reform of the organ donation system for the past five years said that the low road toll and improved medical care may have improved critical care outcomes so it is important not to lose donors through families overriding donors wishes or the doctors not asking families in the first place.

The last audit conducted into deaths in Intensive Care Units showed that out of 104 potential donors, the doctors did not ask 35 families and a further 31 families refused permission for their family members organs to be donated.

Mr.Tookey who has co-authored a proposed law change with National MP Dr.Jackie Blue so that family and doctors can not overturn a person's expressed wish to be a donor said that the figures released today was clear evidence that the current system was not working.

"With doctors not asking families and other families saying no, we need to give the power back to the individual. What is the point of someone specifying they want to be a donor if it means nothing and can be overridden by everyone else? Why are doctors asking for a second consent when they have a perfectly legal one already from the person concerned, who made the decision whilst in sound and calm mind and then they are replacing it with a decision made by others made at a fraught and distressing time?" said Mr.Tookey.

Mr.Tookey will be opposing the Governments' own organ donor bill which he believes will give even more veto powers to more people further reducing the organ donor rate.

"The Government bill will allow others to veto your wish to be a donor on the grounds of their (not yours) spiritual and cultural beliefs" said Mr.Tookey

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