In Ukraine, 96 children are awaiting transplants: the director of Okhmatdyt has called on the government to promote organ donation more actively
28 April 10:06
YOUTUBE
Alexander Urin, Director General of the Okhmatdyt National Children’s Specialized Hospital, stated that the issue of organ donation remains one of the most difficult and, at the same time, most important issues for Ukraine. He spoke about this in an interview with the YouTube channel
According to him, the state has already taken significant steps in developing the transplantation system, but the need for surgeries remains high among both children and adult patients.
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Currently, there are 15 children on the waiting list at Okhmatdyt alone: five need a kidney transplant, and another ten need a liver transplant. Nationwide, according to Oleksandr Urin’s estimates, 96 children are awaiting organ transplants. Among adult patients, the number of such people exceeds four thousand.
“We have made great strides as a country in developing transplantation in general. But the need remains very great,” the doctor noted.
At the same time, the director of Okhmatdyt emphasized that technical equipment for hospitals and medical protocols alone are insufficient for the development of organ donation. In his view, the key challenge remains changing public attitudes toward postmortem donation and launching a large-scale state-led public awareness campaign.
“This requires a massive, all-out effort by the entire state to promote this cause. We need to change people’s mindset in this country so that they understand: if you cannot save yourself or a relative, you can save other people and give them a chance at life,” he explained.
Separately, the head of Okhmatdyt recalled the story of a young man’s mother, who agreed to organ donation after her son’s death. According to him, medical staff spoke with the woman and tried to support her during her time of loss.
“She is an amazing, heroic woman who realized at that moment that she could no longer save her son, and she allowed others to live,” the doctor shared.
He emphasized that such decisions are never easy, especially when it comes to a child. At the same time, the realization that such a tragedy can save other lives helps families cope with their loss.
According to the director of “Okhmatdyt,” it is precisely these real-life stories of survival after transplantation that can best support the development of a culture of donation in Ukraine and increase the chances of survival for hundreds of patients currently awaiting surgery.
As reported by
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