NZ's organ donor rate worst in Western world

11 Apr 2010 08:07p.m.

kate wrote:

There are many constraints to being able to be an organ donor. Someone mentioned people in road crashes of which there are numerous. There are many road crashes but the patient needs to make it to hospital and survive through the organ donation process. This is not always so for a multitude of reasons. Someone else mentioned family, it is very difficult for family to make that decision often in crisis and a short time frame. This raises the importance of discussing organ donation with all family members now so that if disaster strikes the decision is clearer as the patients wishes are clearly known by the entire family. I think igniting discussion and raising awareness is vital. One person can save several peoples' lives. wow what a gift to humanity.

09 Apr 2010 03:00p.m.

David wrote:

@ Andy, the deciding factors to who may get a donated organ should be compatibility, urgency, and likely mortality after transplant (that is quantity and quality of life after transplant). Effectively giving a demerit point for not wanting to be a donor is as good as judging some undeserving of health care. Let’s make a list for the Santa Claus transplant list, if you’ve been naughty then no kidney for you, but who decides –Andy?
As the article mentions better support for live donors is needed.

09 Apr 2010 10:51a.m.

no body wrote:

I think that when your times up it's up.
The trouble with humans is (THE GOD FACTOR),
the CONTROL of how long we can live and when we
die. I personally think that science has gone too far.
I am not against nor for organ donations.
But I believe you should live every day like it's your last.
But I am an organ already donor anyway!

09 Apr 2010 10:50a.m.

David Atkinson wrote:

I find the statement about NZ having the lowest organ donor rate in the Western World. Where do these figures come from? NZ'ers with a driving license have "Donor"(or not as the case may be) on their license. Are the wishes of these people not wishing to donate their organs not being respected?
More data as to organ donors per hundred thousand population would be more useful than simply saying we (NZers)are the worst with no other information. Frequently the media get things wrong, whether by error or twisting fact for commercial purposes. The media do not necessarily publish fact and the truth but what the editor wishes to be published. Please bear that in mind when being critical of "Nzers lacking in empathy and being greedy".

09 Apr 2010 12:57a.m.

Lucas wrote:

Yes, I totally agree with Andy. Some people aren't donors but don't have problems when it comes to receiving an organ.

08 Apr 2010 11:34p.m.

katrina wrote:

@ Drifter the problem with road kill is it I think the donor needs to die in hospital which reduces the numbers available.

08 Apr 2010 08:51p.m.

Drifter wrote:

So with all the deats on the road we shoul have plently of donersw and body parts.

08 Apr 2010 08:49p.m.

dude wrote:

@Andy,
you are right, this is the way the Israelies are structureing their donor programe, we should be adopting doing this, its a great idea.

08 Apr 2010 08:36p.m.

katrina wrote:

When I die I want anything that is useful to go to someone who can use it although my liver will probably unusable at this rate but everything else is good. I believe in recycling in everyday life so why not continue after death.
It think it is sad that more people don't donate but what do you expect when our societly is full of uncaring violent unempathetic greedy people.
Cheers to those who choose to donate.

08 Apr 2010 08:30p.m.

RolanTheRat wrote:

Worst doner's, worst drivers,worst crime rate,worthless goverment,etc etc etc etc etc etc.