Sir,
The purpose of this letter is to highlight the issues surrounding transplants in Cyprus. The matter is of direct interest as my brother experiences severe kidney problems and is in need of a kidney transplant. He is an orphan and we do not have any possible donors in the family so we are entirely reliant on outside help. I have previously contacted several associations, politicians, the church and local authorities in order to raise interest and awareness of donating organs for transplants in Cyprus.
In my previous attempts I made suggestions in order to help our fellow citizens have a better quality of life and at the same time offer them as a European country, the opportunity to find a donor. During the past year I have researched on the internet and in various medical journals in an effort to educate myself as to how other countries tackle this issue. There are many solutions as long as there is a will from the citizens as well as from the government.
Through my research I discovered the following:
l An official department exists at general hospitals around Europe that informs the relatives of clinically dead persons the option for organ donation.
l Laws that make every one of us an organ donor in the event of death
l Awareness campaigns in numerous EU Countries
l The National Transplant Organisation of Greece is a member of Eurodonor (http://www.eurodonor.org). Why is Cyprus not a Member?
l Eurotransplant International Foundation is an organisation created by Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Germany, Luxembourg, Holland and Slovenia with an aim to create donor lists, organ exchange according to suitability, organ transplants, assistance, awareness etc. Why is Cyprus not a member of such an association? Why is there only an agreement and co-operation for transplants with Greece?
Some agencies replied to me and showed some interest on this matter and I thank them for their help. For example, the previous Minister of Health Mr. Charis Charalambous made the necessary arrangements and a team of nurses and specialists were sent for training abroad so they can offer awareness and education to the relatives of clinically dead fellow citizens at the general hospitals in Cyprus. Are these teams in action? Some other agencies responded in writing or via telephone. And others did not show any interest at all…
To some, isn’t this an important issue to our society? Maybe to them there are other more important issues and priorities? Doesn’t the health of everyone in this country affect the quality of human resources and our economy in general? Don’t our fellow citizens who are on the waiting list for a transplant deserve an equal chance like the citizens of other EU countries to live a better life?
MC, Limassol
