The Member States of WHO at their 77th Assembly approved a new resolution on increasing availability, ethical access and oversight of transplantation of human cells, tissues and organs, initiative of Spain.
Transplantation is a life-saving treatment. The latest data of 2022 from the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation indicate that more than 150 000 solid organ transplants (≤ 10% of global needs) are performed worldwide annually, which is an increase of 52% compared with 2010. However, between 2019 and 2020, the global rate of organ donation from deceased donors per million population decreased by 17.6%, and in the Region of the Americas, by 33%, further worsening the situation of low organ availability for transplantation in relation to demand.
Lack of availability and equitable access to transplantation may lead to death or unethical or illegal practices such as transplant tourism and organ trafficking. The resolution aims to improve the availability of transplantation, especially in countries with limited resources. WHO is tasked to develop a global strategy on donation and transplantation, to be presented to the Assembly for adoption in 2026.
This resolution highlights the importance of transplant therapy for the treatment of certain chronic diseases, such as kidney disease. For the Region of the Americas, it also supports the Strategy and Plan of Action on Donation and Equitable Access to Organ, Tissue, and Cell Transplants 2019-2030, which was approved by the PAHO Directing Council at the request of the Member States.
