In 2023, 585 organ transplants were performed in Ukraine
Despite the full-scale war, the transplantation industry in Ukraine continues to develop. Our doctors are successfully transplanting hearts, lungs, kidneys, livers, and pancreas. The number of bone marrow transplants has also increased.
How did the industry transform and develop in 2023? We have prepared a short list of achievements for you:
- doctors have successfully mastered new types of transplants and for the first time performed operations unique for the country: transplanted a pancreas, performed a split liver transplant (the donor organ was divided and transplanted to two recipients), and transplanted a patient’s lungs without the help of foreign colleagues,
- the number of bone marrow transplants increased. In 2022, 223 stem cell transplants were performed, and in 2023 - 340, of which 43 were from unrelated donors,
- the number of lifetime consents for posthumous donation and consents for donation of relatives who have been diagnosed with brain death has increased,
- medicines in the post-transplant period have become even more affordable. Since February 2023, immunosuppression drugs have been included in the register of medicines subject to reimbursement, which means they can be obtained free of charge or with a small surcharge. This opportunity has already been taken advantage of by 1055 patients, with 4459 prescriptions written.
The Ministry of Health’s pilot transplantation project, which lasted three years, has come to an end. As part of the project, 316 organ transplants were performed in 2021, 384 in 2022, and 585 in 2023. Given these incredible results, this year transplant packages were included in the NHSU Medical Guarantee Program.
For reference: Currently, 2,914 patients are waiting for life-saving transplant operations. Ukrainian legislation provides that every person can decide whether to agree to posthumous donation during their lifetime. Read how to do this here: https://utcc.gov.ua/yak-nadaty-zgodu-pro-gotovnist-buty-donorom/