- Director General Health Services
- Dr Sarin, Director, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences
- Distinguished Participants
- Partners, Colleagues and Friends
I am very pleased to welcome you to this WHO Organ Donation and Transplant Capacity Building Workshop. This assembly epitomizes our collective calling to elevate global health standards through the enhancement of organ donation and transplantation systems.
Organ transplantation is one of modern medicine’s most remarkable achievements, giving countless individuals a renewed lease on life each year. Unfortunately, the full potential of this life-saving intervention remains untapped in our Member States for a number of reasons. These range from inadequate resources and infrastructure to a paucity of public awareness and absence of robust regulatory frameworks, in addition to misplaced religion and cultural belief systems.
Organ transplantation is often the most effective treatment for individuals grappling with end-stage organ failure, offering hope and the chance of a significantly enhanced quality of life. Across a range of ailments, the clinical application of human cells and tissues underscores the indispensable role of altruistic donations in making life-saving interventions. Yet, despite our efforts, and global resolutions, significant disparities persist, particularly in middle- and low-income countries, which impede access to safe and high-quality transplantation services.
The Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation shows us a worrying disconnect: while approximately 100,000 kidney transplants are performed each year worldwide, a staggering 5 million individuals remain reliant on dialysis. Chronic kidney disease affects 9.1% of the global population, and accounts for 1.2 million deaths. The affordability and accessibility of tissue transplants, especially for ocular tissues, continue to be a formidable challenge, further exacerbating healthcare disparities.
This workshop represents an important stride towards overcoming these challenges. Over the coming days, our collective objective is to disseminate knowledge, exchange best practices, and foster collaboration among nations and professionals. By fortifying capacities in organ donation and transplantation, we can bridge the large gaps within healthcare systems. We can ensure that more patients receive the life-saving treatments they so desperately require.
All our efforts are guided by the commitments articulated by the United Nations General Assembly and the World Health Assembly towards the promotion of organ donation and transplantation. These commitments underscore the importance of formulating effective policies, increasing public awareness, and promoting international cooperation to amplify the availability and accessibility of organ transplants. Both the UNGA and WHA have acknowledged the critical role of organ transplantation in the pursuit of universal health coverage and have urged countries to take concrete actions to bolster their capacities in this domain.
As a listed organ donor myself, I would like to extend my thanks to all the participants, speakers, and organizers of this workshop today. Your expertise and dedication are invaluable as we together try to overcome barriers and devise sustainable solutions for organ donation and transplantation.
I have over the years known families whose lives have improved because they received a much-needed organ.
I need not remind you of the profound impact our work has on individuals, families, and communities. Every effort we make instills hope in those awaiting transplants and takes us a step closer to equitable access to organ donation and transplantation being a universally realized goal.
Thank you again for being here, and I hope you have productive and insightful deliberations ahead.
Together, let us work toward a world where organ donation and transplantation are accessible and equitable for all who need them.
Thank you.