2008 vas the best year in history for organ transplants in Sweden. During 2008, 681 transplants were performed, compared to 620 in 2007. This is an increase by 10 percent. Kidney transplants was the most performed operation, although there is a big shortage of kidneys in Sweden. The amount of dead organ donors was 152. This is the highest numbers together with 1986 and 1989.
- This a very positive result of structured, effective and hard work within the healthcare and the hospitals when it comes to organ and tissue donation. Both doctors and nurses with special responsibility for organ transplants in the Intensive Care Units, ICU, and other staff are doing fantastic work for the cause. It is also a result of the regions implementing the organisation for donation as described by Donationsrådet, The Swedish Council for Organ and Tissue Donation, says Åsa Welin, director of Donationsrådet.
There is a vast shortage of organs and tissue in Sweden and the biggest demand is in kidneys. Most of the transplants made in Sweden are kidney transplants.
Of the transplants made in 2008 in Sweden, 419 were kidney transplants (136 from living donors) compared to 379 (123) in 2007. This is the highest number of kidney transplants ever. There was also an increase in liver and lung transplantations. 147 liver transplants were performed during 2008 compared to 137 in 2007 and 51 lungs were transplanted compared to 43 in 2007
- It is, however, important to keep a clear focus on the future since there is a big shortage in organs and tissues in Sweden. There is, on a yearly basis, about 600 severely ill patients waiting for an organ, who will not survive without a donated organ. This need for organs is likely to increase in the coming years. It is more important than ever that people make their position known in this matter and make an active choice. An active choice saves lives and gives an organ recipient a better life. According to a survey made in November 2008, 58 percent of the Swedes has already made an active choice, and it is a known fact that the more people that makes their position clear when it comes to organ and tissue donation, the more lives can be saved, says Åsa Welin, director of Donationsrådet.