Taiwan Faces Critical Organ Shortage Amid Low Donation Rates

Taiwan's organ transplant system is grappling with a persistent imbalance between the high demand for organs and a low donation rate, leaving thousands of patients in a critical waiting period. Approximately 12,000 to 13,000 individuals are on waiting lists each year, highlighting the urgent need to boost organ donation.

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Taiwan's organ donation consent rate is only about 17% to 20%, far lower than the level of about 60% in some countries.

Lee Ming-che, Chairman of the Organ Donation and Transplant Registration and Patient Autonomy Promotion Center, stated that Taiwan's organ donation consent rate hovers between 17% and 20%. This figure is considerably lower than the approximately 60% achieved in some other nations, indicating substantial room for improvement. Lee emphasized that achieving a "balance" in organ transplantation involves monitoring various indicators, including the gap between waiting and actual transplant numbers, consent rates, and waiting times.

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Improving organ shortage cannot rely solely on increasing donations; it must also simultaneously promote disease prevention and alternative treatments to reduce the population with organ failure.

Lee pointed to the United States' kidney transplant system, where the average waiting time is 2.5 to 3 years, as a relatively balanced model. In Taiwan, around 8,500 people are waiting for kidney transplants. He projected that if the donation conversion rate could increase to 60% or even 80%, three to four times the current rate, the number of annual transplants could exceed 1,200. Under ideal conditions, this could clear the existing waiting list within about six years.

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Taiwan absolutely prohibits organ trafficking and brokerage, and has established relevant verification and management mechanisms.

Beyond increasing donations, Lee stressed the importance of disease prevention and alternative treatments to reduce the number of people needing transplants. He cited government initiatives like the "Healthy Taiwan" policy, chronic disease prevention, and cancer treatment as crucial steps. Liu Yueh-ping, Director-General of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Bureau of Medical Affairs, affirmed Taiwan's strict prohibition of organ trafficking and brokerage, acknowledging that recent negative news has impacted the donation atmosphere. She urged public support to promote accurate information and provide more patients with a chance at life through transplantation.

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Organ transplantation is still the most stable and effective treatment for many patients with end-stage organ failure. We hope the public can give more support.