Latvia sees 30% rise in organ donation registrations via 'e-veselība' portal
Translated from Latvian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The number of residents in Latvia who have registered their decision on organ, tissue, or body donation via the "e-veselība" portal has increased by 30% compared to the previous year.
- Approximately 60% of these individuals have expressed a positive willingness to donate organs after death, with 2.85% of the total Latvian population having utilized this option.
- Officials emphasize the growing trust in digital health solutions and increased understanding of organ donation's significance, encouraging more citizens to register their wishes.
The "e-veselība" digital health portal in Latvia has seen a significant 30% increase in resident activity regarding organ, tissue, and body donation decisions compared to the previous year. As of now, 52,989 residents have registered their wishes on the portal, according to the Latvian Digital Health Center (LDVC).
The fact that more and more residents are expressing their will regarding organ and tissue donation in E-health confirms both the residents' trust in digital health solutions and the growing understanding of the importance of organ donation, as well as the growing desire to make decisions related to their own body themselves, not leaving the resolution of this complex issue to the shoulders of their loved ones.
Of those who have made a declaration, a substantial majority, 60%, have expressed a positive consent for organ use after death. However, only 2.85% of Latvia's total population has utilized this feature, highlighting a potential for further engagement. The LDVC noted that this rise indicates growing trust in digital health solutions and a greater public understanding of the importance of organ donation.
Juris Gaiķis, a board member at LDVC, stated that more citizens are choosing to make their decisions about organ donation independently, rather than leaving this complex issue to their relatives. "A positive consent for organ donation after death can become an opportunity to save or significantly improve the lives of other people," he said, urging those who haven't yet registered to do so via the "e-veselība" portal.
A positive consent for organ donation after death can become an opportunity to save or significantly improve the lives of other people, so we invite residents who have not yet done so to go to E-health www.eveseliba.gov.lv and express their will with a few clicks.
Egija Lapiņa, head of the National Transplant Coordination Service at Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, emphasized the human element behind the statistics. "Behind every number in the statistics is a person. A person waiting for a transplant, hoping for a chance to live a full life or even to survive," she stated. Lapiņa expressed joy at the increasing number of informed decisions made by Latvian residents regarding organ donation, stressing the importance of these choices being conscious and discussed with loved ones.
Behind every number in the statistics is a person. A person waiting for a transplant, hoping for a chance to live a full life or even to survive.
Originally published by Delfi Latvia in Latvian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.