Post-mortem donation: Can Kyrgyzstan save hundreds of lives?

Kyrgyzstan is actively developing its transplantology program, yet faces a significant hurdle: a lack of organ donors. Despite a law passed in 2001 and successful kidney transplants since 2012, followed by liver and bone marrow procedures, only a fraction of the over 1,200 citizens with transplanted organs received them domestically.

The government recognizes the financial benefits of transplantation over long-term dialysis. Presidentially mandated, kidney transplants are now state-funded, with 55 such operations completed in the last three years. However, liver transplants still cost patients around $25,000, a price considered high but still lower than overseas procedures. This financial barrier, coupled with donor scarcity, limits access.

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Every year, up to 400 cases of liver cirrhosis are registered in the republic. We are talking only about those patients who officially sought medical help and were registered. Many people live with the disease without knowing about it and seek medical attention only at late stages. Based on this statistic, approximately 100 patients per year need a liver transplant operation.

Experts highlight the critical need for post-mortem donation to bridge the gap. Annually, hundreds of liver cirrhosis cases are registered, with many patients requiring transplants. The National Surgical Center alone has 30 patients awaiting liver transplants, but donor availability remains a major challenge. Even when potential donors are found, compatibility issues arise, underscoring the urgency to implement a robust post-mortem donation system. Former Health Minister Alimkadyr Beishenaliev had previously announced readiness for a post-mortem donation bill, even securing written consent from imams, though current minister Damir Osmonov has yet to provide details on its progress.

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There are cases when one patient brings five potential donors, and all are unsuitable – not compatible.