TURKEY: Over 32,000 Await Organ Transplants As Donation Week Urges More Donors, Hospital Opens Stand

Malatya Hospital Opens Organ Donation Stand As 32,000 Await Transplants
November 10, 2025 — by Transplant News

WORLD NEWS – TURKEY: Malatya Training and Research Hospital has opened a weeklong organ donation stand as part of the nation’s annual Organ Donation Week (November 3–9), mobilizing staff and citizens to confront a shortage that leaves roughly 32,000 people on transplant waiting lists. Associate Professor Dr. Zeliha Korkmaz Dişli announced the initiative, explaining the hospital will issue donor cards, answer public questions and run informational sessions in the conference hall and nearby stand throughout the week.

The campaign clarifies the paths to transplantation and donation available in Turkey. Living donations are permitted from consenting adults over 18, typically from relatives or acquaintances. Cadaveric donation is performed after brain death with the approval of the deceased’s family. The medical team highlighted the full range of transplantable organs — heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine — alongside tissue donations such as corneas, heart valves, bone, skin and tendons.

Organ shortage is presented as stark and urgent: cadaveric donations remain insufficient, forcing hundreds of patients to die while waiting for suitable grafts. To counter that gap, the hospital’s week of activity combines public outreach with internal education for hospital personnel, aiming to both increase registrations and improve understanding of donation procedures and eligibility. Citizens are invited to visit the on-site stand by the conference hall during the week; those unable to attend may register through the national electronic health platform e-Nabız.

Hospital leaders framed the effort as practical and instructional, designed to make donation straightforward and to inform families considering consent after brain death. Dr. Korkmaz Dişli and staff acknowledged institutional support from the chief physician and administration while urging residents to consider registering as donors to reduce the growing demand for life-saving transplants.