HEALTH COUNCIL : IMPROVING ORGAN DONATIONS AND TRANSPLANTATION THROUGH COOPERATION.

• Position: Brief article

The member states' health ministers recognise the need to increase the quantity of organs available for transplantation and to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of transplantation systems. Their conclusions on this subject, adopted on 7 December 2012, were drafted on the basis of the mid-term review of the action plan on organ donation and transplantation (2009-2015). The measures recommended involve cooperation between member states, since this is a matter of national competence.

According to the Council, priority should be given to the donation of organs from deceased donors. Member states should continue to share their expertise on all essential aspects of organ donation and transplantation programmes and to provide continuing training for the professionals concerned, state the conclusions. The member...