Increasing volunteer organ donors

Document Type:Research Paper

Subject Area:Economics

Document 1

Organ donation continues to save millions of lives through transplants, (Fleming et al. , 2018) that replace defective organs with much healthier ones thus boosting the health and functionality of the recipients. Although the practice of organ donation has not been in practice for centuries; its adoption and acceptance by the majority of the human population has been positive over the past few years. However glamorous the idea is; it has had its own fair share of challenges. Organ failure due to rejection has been among some of the significant setbacks of this milestone achievement. The challenge, however, has been on the donation of all other body organs that can also be donated like the kidneys. Measures to source more organs from the public have not been consistent however much people tend to show approval of the practice through opinion polls.

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There is urgent need to lay down strategies by various stakeholders towards increasing the number of people willing to participate in organ donation or willing to donate their organs upon their death. About 21 people die every day in the United States while awaiting organ transplants. However, about 45 percent of the American adult population are registered as organ donors. Before signing into organ donation; there are a few fundamental factors that one needs to know in order to make the right decisions. Understanding of the various types of organ donations that there are makes it easier for one to actually feel the compellation to sign up for where they suit best. Organ donation involves removing the organs of a freshly dead person and transferring them to an ill person who requires the organs to better their chances of healing.

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Additionally, friends and family members or other willing parties can also donate one or part of their organs while still alive to a person that critically needs them to survive. Organs that can be donated include the kidney liver, heart, intestines, and pancreas. In North Carolina for example; one can register as an organ donor online or through the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles. Upon registration, a red heart is added to his/her driver’s license to appreciate his or her commitment towards ensuring a better society for others by saving lives through their organs upon their demise. Living donation is whereby a person donates one of their organs to somebody else when they are still alive and healthy, (Shauna et al.

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In most instances, the kidney is the most common organ that is donated by people while they are still alive. Most living donors comprise of people closely associated with the recipient of the organ. The evolution of this laws is important in informing the choice or techniques to be used to woe more potential volunteers into donating their organs. Some of the basic restrictions in organ donations include the buying and selling of organs. The United States federal laws prohibit the decision to sell one’s organ. Due to the increasing demand for organs, it is strictly illegal to sell organs as this provision may lead to increased criminal activities and death cases. Additionally, since the decision to donate is voluntary; there is no monetary incentive given to the family or financial assistance advanced for funeral purposes.

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According to a survey carried out in the United Kingdom; most people were found to be reluctant to sign up as organ donors due to a feeling mistrust towards medical practitioners especially in private hospital. Therefore, proper legislation to balance transplants in the private hospitals, as well as proper equipment of medical facilities to handle organs and even availability of well-trained specialists with honesty and integrity, will change people’s mindset towards organ donation. This approach has been applied in Spain making it one of the leading countries with the highest successful organ transplants in the world, (Citerio et al. Another simple way that has been given less attention is the public awareness program. This strategy requires government participation in conjunction with the medical practitioners to create public advertisements, rallies, and campaigns to motivate individuals in society towards signing up for organ donation.

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Revision of the opt-in and opt-out system will also help increase the number of voluntary organ donors in the United States; the current system has been made as an opt-in system. This, therefore, means a person becomes an automatic donor unless they actively get out of the system. A study in Spain has shown that the opt-out system used in the country has increased the number of voluntary organ donors as people feel that they have been given the liberty to perform a good course at choice. As a result, Spain has recorded some of the best statistics in terms of voluntary organ donations compared to other countries in the world. Amendment of the veto rules that give the final decision to family members or the next of kin.

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The current shortage of donors means that there is very little supply and as a result the costs involved in acquiring a donated organ I quite high, (Hall et al. However, increased voluntary organ donors will lead to an increase in the availability of organs for transplants. The law of supply and demand will, therefore, lower the equilibrium costs of acquiring and even receiving organ transplant procedures. Reduced costs of organ transplants will make it easier for families with low incomes to access the services thus saving lives. When some skilled people, as well as experts in different fields, pass away, there is a deficit created by the economy. "Understanding the pros and cons of organ donation decision- making: Decisional balance and expressing donation intentions among African Americans.

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