More and more people in Switzerland are considering organ donation. The willingness to donate organs, tissue or cells has also increased over the past 15 years. This is shown by a detailed analysis of data from the Swiss Health Survey (SGB).
In 2022, significantly more people had dealt with the topic of organ donation than in previous years: 56% of respondents stated that they had dealt with it at least somewhat, compared to 48% in 2017. Women, people with a higher level of education and people from French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland were more likely than average to have addressed the topic. The 56% of respondents stated that they would be at least more willing to donate organs, tissue or cells after their death. This is an increase compared to previous years. In addition, the number of people who have expressed their willingness to donate organs has also increased. In 2017, 60% of respondents stated that they had neither recorded their wishes in writing nor communicated them to their relatives. In 2022, this figure was only 49%. Of the 51% who have expressed their wishes, most have informed their next of kin. Around a quarter have recorded their wishes in writing, most frequently in an organ donation card or a living will. In addition, the number of those who expressed their wishes both verbally and in writing increased significantly. Preparations are now underway for the objection regulation. On May 15, 2022, the people voted in favor of the objection regulation for organ donation. Anyone who does not wish to donate organs, tissue or cells after death must state this in future. The FOPH is preparing a new, broad-based awareness campaign in view of the introduction of the objection regulation. It is to be launched together with the new organ and tissue donor register in 2026 at the earliest. The objection regulation is to come into force six months later. Until the opt-out regulation comes into force, the FOPH will regularly inform the public about what (still) applies today with the existing campaign “Rules instead of postponement: organ donation” and prepare them for the change to the opt-out regulation.
Source: www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/das-bag/aktuell/news/news-03-07-2024.html (last accessed on 02.08.2024).
InFo NEUROLOGY & PSYCHIATRY 2024; 22(4): 40 (published on 26.8.24, ahead of print)
