2018 was a strong year for organ donation and transplant surgery in Ireland

A total of 18 heart transplants took place in Ireland last year the latest figures show.

According to HSE Organ Donation Transplant Ireland (ODTI), the office dedicated to saving and improving lives by improving organ donation rates in Ireland, 2018 was a strong year for organ donation and transplant surgery.

In 2018 the families of 80 people who died, courageously and generously allowed the organs of their loved one to be donated to save others. From the 80 donors, many of whom donated multiple organs, a total of 231 transplants were completed. Across the three national transplant centres, 120 kidneys, 18 hearts, 27 lungs, 56 liver and 5 pancreas surgeries were completed. In addition, living donors gave kidneys to enhance the lives of 37 patients this year.

Reflecting on the year, Professor Jim Egan, Director of ODTI, expressed admiration and gratitude to those families who elected to donate organs and save the lives of other people in this country.

“Following record numbers of transplant in 2017, we have seen consistently robust rate of organ donation and transplant in 2018, this reflects positively on the generosity of Irish society and the professionalism of the intensive care, theatre, medical and nursing staff. We will continue to champion organ donation because organ donation saves lives,” Prof Egan said.

Organ transplantation takes place in three national transplant centres in Dublin.

Beaumont hospital provides kidney transplantation and is also the national centre for living kidney organ donation. The Mater University Hospital provides heart and lung transplantation. St Vincent’s University hospital provides liver and pancreas transplantation.

New legislation governing organ donation in Ireland is due to be published in the coming months by the Government. This new Bill is expected to include a provision for an “opt-out” system for organ donation for the first time in Ireland.