|
|
|
| Organ Transplantation |
|
The situation in the transplant
sector continues to be tense. Due to a lack of organ donations, not
all of those patients who urgently need an organ transplant will be
able to receive one.
Between 1990 and 2002, the annual number of patients receiving
transplants ranged from 2,000 to 2,400. During the same period of
time, 2,700 to 3,000 new patients were added to the waiting list for
transplant operations.
At the present moment, some 11,500 patients are urgently awaiting
an organ transplant. Among these, 10,000 patients need a new kidney.
The waiting list for kidney transplants is growing every year, since
more and more patients need dialysis. Sadly, the number of organ donations
for transplant operations has not risen to meet this demand.
|
 |
 |
A replacement organ cannot be found for one-third
of the patients awaiting a liver transplant. The prospects of patients
on the waiting list for a heart, lung, or pancreas are not any better.
As the willingness among donors decreases from year to year, the number
of organs needed has increased steadily. Future projections indicate
that the cleft between supply and demand in the transplant sector
will only grow larger.
Medical devices, including mechanical, artificial organs, have limited
use as organ replacements and can only serve as temporary solutions.
At any rate, these devices do not replace the biological organ, but
only offer functional support. Artificial organs are notorious for
triggering rejection responses and causing infections.
|
|
