Declaration of Istanbul

Declaration of Istanbul

Organ transplantation is one of the life-saving medical breakthroughs of the 20th century.

Over the years, growing renal transplant waiting lists and a discrepancy in organ supply and demand have marred this accomplishment and given rise to a network of illegal traffickers who exploit the vulnerability of patients desperately waiting for a life-saving transplant.

While illegal transplantation may seem like a “win-win” for the recipient in need of a kidney and a donor in need of money, the long-term effects are devastating to both parties and negatively impacts healthcare systems.

The Declaration of Istanbul (DoI) calls on the medical community, especially transplant surgeons and nephrologists, to join the World Health Organization (WHO) in putting pressure on Health Ministries with a transplantation program to eliminate organ trafficking and transplant tourism. The DoI is promoted, implemented, and upheld by the Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group (DICG). Read more about ISN’s work on the Declaration of Istanbul here.

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