Europe, UK (Commonwealth Union) – One year after the implementation of Dáithi’s Law, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has welcomed the rise in the number of donors and the rising backing from families for organ donation.
Saturday, June 1, marked the first anniversary of the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, which came into effect in Northern Ireland.
Named in honor of seven-year-old Dáithí Mac Gabhann, who has been on the heart transplant waiting list since 2018, the law presumes that adults in Northern Ireland are potential organ donors unless they opt in, opt out, or they are part of an excluded group.
In 2023/24, the total number of deceased donors increased to 64, up from 59 in 2022/23, marking the highest number of organ donors to date. Since the law change on June 1, 2023, there have been 60 organ donors up to May 22, 2024.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt welcomed the preliminary figures, stating, that the latest data underscores the significant life-saving impact of organ donation. He further pointed out that in the 2023/24 period, 64 organ donors from Northern Ireland have saved 158 lives, and 79 local patients have received life-saving transplants.
“At the heart of organ donation and transplantation are the organ donors and their families who support a loved one’s decision when facing the very worst news. We are forever grateful to our organ donors and their families for the decisions they make.”
According to the Northern Ireland government the backing for organ donation remains exceptionally high, with 90% of people in favor. Additionally, 93% believe that organ donation is a life-saving gift for recipients.
As the law changed a year ago, there has been a continued rise in people registering their decisions on the NHS Organ Donor Register. In spite scientific advances organ donation still remains a key component in healthcare.
