AZERBAIJAN: Surging Organ Transplants With Efficient Donor Procurement, Saving Lives Nationwide

WORLD NEWS: In Azerbaijan, a significant increase in both posthumous and living organ donors highlights the country’s strides in medical transplantation. Each year, Azerbaijan performs over 300 organ transplants, primarily focusing on kidneys and livers due to high demand. These complex procedures, particularly liver transplants, can extend up to 15 hours and are offered free of charge under the national health insurance system. Typically, living donors are found among close relatives to ensure compatibility, with pre-operative counseling provided to address potential health risks.

One compelling case is that of Sabukh Gadirov, whose brother quickly stepped forward to donate a portion of his liver, underscoring family support’s crucial role in successful transplant outcomes. Gadirov’s testimony accentuates the urgency and emotional weight donors and recipients endure. His brother underwent immediate testing and unhesitatingly volunteered upon finding a match, an act that echoes many others in Azerbaijan who prioritize saving familial lives.

The national transplant center plays a vital role in donor-recipient matching, housing a database of willing organ donors, including those who pledge to donate post-mortem. However, pledging does not guarantee transplantation success due to specific medical criteria, such as brain death confirmation and viable organ condition, which can deteriorate due to age or illness. Despite logistical challenges, a timely transplant can potentially save numerous lives—a fact overshadowed by cultural and religious hesitations.

Legislative changes have facilitated stem cell and bone marrow transplants, further advancing the scope of transplant possibilities. When domestic donor options are exhausted, Azerbaijan has provisions in place to seek suitable donors from Turkey, reinforcing international cooperation in healthcare. The narrative of organ donation and transplantation in Azerbaijan, therefore, is one of growing acceptance, familial sacrifice, and significant legislative support, showing an accelerating trend towards life-saving medical practices.

First published 2025-01-31 00:19:14


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