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.
News
ISN DICG at Vatican City Summit on organ trafficking and transplant tourism
I had the privilege of attending the Summit of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism in Vatican City, which was held in Vatican City on February 7 and 8, 2017. As a Society, ISN was present in multiple capacities. I was joined by ISN Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group (DICG)...
ISN joins Vatican call against organ trafficking and transplant tourism
n February 7 and 8, 2017, ISN participated to the Summit of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on Organ Trafficking and Transplant Tourism in Vatican City. ISN fully endorsed the Summit’s Statement, which calls on all religious, political and social leaders, national and international legislators to recognize that organ and human trafficking for organ removal are ‘true...
DICG activities at the TTS congress in Hong Kong
A Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group (DICG) council meeting took place during The Transplant Society (TTS) congress in Hong Kong, with several Council members participating in person or via Skype. Key topics of discussion were plans for a 10th Anniversary meeting in 2018; potential projects of work for the DICG and methods of fundraising to...
COLLABORATING for safer kidney transplants globally
Organ transplantation is the best and frequently the only life-saving treatment for end-stage organ failure. According to the WHO, almost 80,000 kidney transplants were performed globally in 2013. Although impressive, it is estimated that the activity represents less than 10% of the global need. This situation of acute organ shortage has come with its own set...