Living kidney donors are life-saving
JOBURG – South Africa currently has one of the highest rates of end-stage kidney failure in the world and a very low rate of organ and tissue donation, and transplants.
Did you know that more than two million people worldwide receive treatment with dialysis or a kidney transplant?
Many more people do require treatment but unfortunately do not receive it due to a lack of access.
This Kidney Awareness Week, September 6 to 10, the Transplant Education for Living Legacies (Tell) organisation is raising awareness about the issues concerning kidney health, kidney donation and transplants.
South Africa currently has one of the highest rates of end-stage kidney failure in the world and a very low rate of organ and tissue donation, and transplants.
According to a statement by Tell, a lack of education on the subject in the medical field and the public at large is only making matters worse.
While South Africa is one of 12 African countries that does kidney transplants, and the only country who does transplants from deceased donors, not everyone who has end-stage kidney failure qualifies to be placed on the waiting list, which has a 12- to 15-year waiting period for the O-blood group.
This is why living donors have become a life-saving alternative for patients that can find a matching donor – a family member, friend or even a stranger.
“These living donors go through extensive test to ensure that they will be able to withstand the operation and that they are healthy enough to live with one kidney.”
Find out more about the donor process on www.tell.org.za
ALSO READ:
https://sandtonchronicle.co.za/291402/covid-19-and-kidney-damage-what-you-need-to-know/
https://sandtonchronicle.co.za/101044/fun-walk-to-be-held-in-aid-of-kidney-disease/
