Kidney Health Australia has rejected any moves to buy and sell
kidneys in Australia.
Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia Dr Tim Mathew
said, such a system would be open to many ethical issues and
abuse.
Dr Mathew said in recent times the Federal and State Governments
have announced plans to upgrade organ and tissue donation.
The recent release of the report by the Organ Donation Taskforce
contains fifty one recommendations designed to improve the organ
donation rate.
Kidney Health Australia strongly urges the
Federal Government to urgently implement these recommendations as
the best way to help solve the organ donation crisis in Australia.
The average wait for a kidney transplant in Australia is four
years, with waits of up to seven years not uncommon. One person a
week is dying whilst waiting for transplant, according to Kidney
Health Australia.
Kidney transplantation is successful in 90% of cases and
Australia has one of the best success rates of kidney transplant
survival in the world.
Dr Mathew said that sustained funding is needed at a federal and
state level to support organ donation in hospitals which are working
hard under the current collaborative program to increase the level
of transplantation.
"Patients on dialysis and their families are under great pressure
waiting for the telephone call which could spell a new chance at
life through a kidney transplant."
Media Enquiries:
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney
Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith Corporate
Media Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a significant and growing public
health problem, responsible for substantial burden of illness and
premature mortality. In Australia, it is a fact that:
1 in 3 adults are at increased risk of developing CKD
1 in 7 adults have at least one clinical sign of existing CKD
A person can lose up to 90% of their kidney function before
experiencing any symptoms
Approximately 2 million Australians may be affected by
early-stage kidney disease and don't know it
Over 40 Australians die of kidney failure each day
11.3% of all deaths in Australia are due to, or associated with,
kidney failure. Every day, 6 Australians commence expensive dialysis
or transplantation to stay alive
Most people with CKD will die from cardiovascular causes before
requiring dialysis or transplantation
