According to the Biomedicine Agency, transplant activity increased by 4.6% in 2014. But the number of patients awaiting an organ also continues to increase.
Compared with 2013, organ transplant activity grew by 4.6% in France in 2014. In total, therefore, 5,357 transplants were performed last year, according to the latest report from the ‘Biomedicine Agency (ABM).
“The progression of the transplant activity is confirmed, demonstrating the strong commitment of the collection and transplant teams”, commented the ABM in a press release published on Monday.
Always more requests
In detail, the Agency specifies that the number of patients who needed a transplant remains much greater than the number of grafts available. In 2014, 20,311 people were on the waiting list against nearly 19,000 in 2013. Last year, 579 patients died while awaiting a transplant.
Heart transplants in the lead
In addition, concerning the number of donors collected, their number was 1,695 in 2014. The average age of deceased donors was 57.4 years with 39.8% of donors over 65 and that of recipients was 51.5 years old, the ABM told the Agence Presse Médicale (APM).
In 2014, 423 heart transplants were performed, as well as 13 cardiopulmonary transplants, 327 lung transplants, 1,280 liver transplants, 3,232 kidney transplants, 79 pancreatic transplants and three intestinal transplants. In addition, in 2014, there were 526 transplants from living donors, including 514 kidney transplants, an increase of nearly 30% in one year.
54,659 carriers of a functional graft
Finally, in 2014, 54,659 people were carriers of a functional transplant, which according to the ABM “testifies to the therapeutic efficacy of the transplant”.
So, faced with this assessment and to help the ever-increasing number of patients on the national waiting list, the Agency will organize on June 22 the 15th national day of reflection on organ donation and transplantation, and of recognition to donors. It aims to encourage everyone to tell their loved ones of their choice, for or against organ and tissue donation.
“Even if the vast majority of French people say they are in favor of organ donation, few of them think about telling their loved ones. However, by taking the initiative to tell those around you, it is possible to save or radically change many lives by allowing more patients to be transplanted ”, concludes the ABM.
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