This project will build and run (facilitate the development and implementation of) an operational support centre designed as first point of contact to coordinate and communicate the availability of organs and or tissue for donation in South Africa.
At this moment, people are dying while waiting for lifesaving organs and tissue. The waitlist is growing daily, while the referral process for organ and tissue procurement is relatively unknown and therefore not used extensively or effectively. There is also a need for the sector to take responsibility for its future, due to the lack of government support and funding. This can only be achieved through agreement between the various stakeholders.
A single point of contact via an operational support centre with contact information of nearest transplant coordinator and standard operation procedures will serve to coordinate and communicate the possible availability of organ(s) and or tissue for donation. This will assist in making the process and vital time frames known. Making the referral process as easy as possible for clinicians will increase referrals coming through. This will improve the consent rate for organ & tissue donation.
The waiting list for organ and tissue transplants is reduced and lives are saved. One more little boy gets to live a normal childhood, playing with his friends, attending school, enjoying another birthday. Or another member of society gets the opportunity for independence, a chance to earn a living, support their family, make a meaningful contribution to society and the economy. No one dies while waiting for a lifesaving organ, or restorative tissue transplant.
This project has provided additional documentation in a DOCX file (projdoc.docx).
