The Number of Organ Donations and Transplants in China Hit a Record High

China has banned the use of executed prisoners' organs for transplants. This makes voluntary donation from citizens the only legitimate channel for organ donations. However, with this move the number of organ donations and transplants in China has hit a record high. In 2014, voluntary donations from Chinese citizens has become the largest source of organs for transplant, accounting for 80% of all donated organs. Huang Jiefu, a former vice-minister of health and current head of the National Human Organ Donation and Transplant Committee, said, "More than 6,000 organs were donated by over 2,000 donors as of early October, 2015, marking a record high after January's ban prompted concerns about an acute shortage of organs. Over 300 hospitals will become qualified to perform organ transplants next year and that over 500 young doctors will be trained in donation and transplant procedures."

According to a poll conducted by the National Human Organ Donation and Transplant Committee in the Wuhan and Guangzhou cities in 2012, 40% of survey respondents said that they were 'uncertain' whether they were willing to donate, largely because of uncertainties about 'whether their organs will be treated fairly and transparently'.

Zhu Jiye, director of the Organ Transplantation Center of Peking University, said, "Traditional beliefs that favor preserving bodies intact after death may also make would-be donors hesitate. People should instead try to think of organ donation as a kind of continuation of their lives."

China started a voluntary organ donation trial program in 2010. It began promoting the practice across the country in 2013. A report released by the committee in 2013 reveals that China has witnessed the second largest number of organ donations in the world.

Source-IANS