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.

News

Delmonico appointed to Pontifical Academy of Sciences

Francis Delmonico, Senior Advisor to the Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group (DICG), has been appointed to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. ISN would like to congratulate him on this great achievement. Through the DICG, Delmonico has shown longstanding dedication in combating global organ trafficking, protecting its victims who are sourced for organs and helping exploited...

2016 DICG Board of Councilors and news updates

The Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group’s (DICG) Board of Councilors has come to its annual transition-point. A third group of Councilors have completed their second three-year term and new members have now joined for a new term. Find out more and also get a roundup of the group's latest activities. The Declaration of Istanbul Custodian...

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...

DICG heads to kidney transplantation talks in Croatia

Representatives from the Declaration of Istanbul Custodian Group (DICG) took part in meetings with representatives from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia as well as Serbia organized by at the Croatian Ministry of Health in Zagreb, Croatia from October 14 to 15, 2014. A Federal Center for Transplantation within the Ministry of Health in...