Safer transplants for all
The last seven years have seen The Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group (DICG) guide and help governments as well as medical and patient communities in response to illegal organ trafficking.
Organ transplantation is one of the life-saving medical break- throughs of the 20th century. However, vulnerable people in poor regions have become victim of illegal transplant networks. Through regional cooperation, countries are implement- ing programs to prevent organ failure, supporting the organ donors and recipients alike.
The Declaration of Istanbul (DOI) on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism now governs organ donation and transplantation activities. It is not binding but ensures donor and recipient safety, enforces standards and prohibits unethical practices worldwide.
The DICG session at WCN 2015 reinforced the dedication of DICG members. Government and health ministry officials worldwide have been made aware of the problems their specific countries face, and have been offered assistance to improve the problem. Official relations with the World Health Organization and other NGOs con- tinue to strength- en the voice of DICG and its cause.
The group met with Pope Francis to derive more support for the principles of the Declaration, now endorsed by over 130 organiza- tions and part of national legislation in several countries. The DICG also met Minister of Health representatives from Croatia, Serbia, as well as the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who have now set up a Federal Center for Transplantation.
“The next step is to implement a fully operational and staffed program with a central system to coordinate organ transplantation through- out the Federation,” says DICG Executive Director Francis Delmonico.
A donation transplant coordinator has been appointed in 13 hos- pitals to provide education in collaboration with Croatia for piloting kidney allocation. They will also coordinate and strengthen coop- eration between transplant centers in Tuzla and Sarajevo to stan- dardize and harmonize best practices.
ISN and The Transplantation Society have formal ‘DOI” Declarations on abstract submissions. Many other societies have adopted similar declarations, as have a number of major journals. Major meetings in nephrology and transplantation have whole sessions devoted to organ trafficking or DOI related topics, and several publications have been forthcoming in describing relevant developments.
The tasks continue on a number of fronts: advocacy, awareness, endorsement, and education. It is through these activities that the DICG will continue to advance the case of ethical and effective transplant practice, leveraging a network of physicians, ethicists, administrators, social workers and government officials, in the promotion of its mission.
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