Organ Transplant

What Is Organ Transplantation?

Organ transplantation is a surgical procedure in which a healthy organ from a living or deceased donor is transplanted to replace a damaged or failing organ that has lost its function due to various environmental or genetic causes. This life-saving intervention plays a critical role in modern medicine and is often the last treatment option for patients with end-stage organ failure.

What Types of Organ and Tissue Transplants Are Performed in Turkey?

Organ and tissue transplants carried out in Turkey include:

• Organ transplants: Heart, Lung, Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, Intestine
• Tissue transplants: Skin, Arm-Leg, Heart Valve, Cornea, Face, Bone

Who Can Become an Organ Donor?

Any mentally competent individual over the age of 18 can become an organ donor. However, the suitability of a person’s organs for transplantation depends on their overall health condition before and at the time of donation. Through a series of medical examinations and lab analyses, doctors evaluate whether the donor is a proper candidate for donation.

Organ donation can take place after the brain death of a person, provided that the organs remain viable. Donation is not possible in cases of vegetative state, where individuals remain dependent on life-support machines. Not every death qualifies for organ donation—organ viability must be confirmed by transplant specialists.

How Is Organ Donation Carried Out?

Before making a decision, individuals should receive thorough information about the organ donation process. For living donors, understanding the medical, psychological, and emotional aspects of the procedure is crucial. Even if you are healthy and eligible, hesitation due to lack of information may lead you to withdraw.

For post-mortem donation, individuals can express their intent by contacting transplant coordination centers, public and private hospitals, or university and foundation hospitals. The donor applies by completing an organ donation form in the presence of two witnesses. This form lists the organs and tissues to be donated and is submitted voluntarily by the individual.

After completing the form, a donor card is issued by authorized personnel, and the information is shared with the Ministry of Health. Upon the donor’s brain death, the transplant is carried out according to official protocols. Even if the deceased had a donor card, the family’s consent is also sought at the time of death. If a person later decides to withdraw consent, they can remove their information from the Turkey Organ Donation Information System.

How Are Organ Transplant Recipients Selected?

The selection of patients for transplantation is managed by the National Transplant Coordination Center. Recipients are chosen from the national transplant waiting list. Key criteria include:

• Tissue compatibility level (HLA matching)
• Blood type
• Urgency of the medical condition
• Position on the waiting list

These criteria ensure fairness and medical necessity. Factors such as race, religion, gender, or socioeconomic status do not influence the selection process.

What Is the Religious View on Organ Transplantation?

In Turkey, there is no religious objection to organ donation. According to a ruling by the High Council of Religious Affairs dated March 3, 1980 (Decision No. 396/13), organ donation from the deceased to the living is permissible in Islam, provided that specific conditions are met. This view supports and encourages saving lives through medically approved organ transplants.

Organ transplantation remains a crucial and often life-saving procedure, supported both scientifically and ethically, giving hope to thousands of patients worldwide.