Kidney health Australia says no to kidney trading

Media Release
Kidney Health Australia Says No To Kidney Trading

5 May 2008

Kidney Health Australia has rejected any moves to buy and sell kidneys in Australia.

Medical Director of Kidney Health Australia Dr Tim Mathew said, such a system would be open to many ethical issues and abuse.

Dr Mathew said in recent times the Federal and State Governments have announced plans to upgrade organ and tissue donation.

The recent release of the report by the Organ Donation Taskforce contains fifty one recommendations designed to improve the organ donation rate.

Kidney Health Australia strongly urges the Federal Government to urgently implement these recommendations as the best way to help solve the organ donation crisis in Australia.
The average wait for a kidney transplant in Australia is four years, with waits of up to seven years not uncommon. One person a week is dying whilst waiting for transplant, according to Kidney Health Australia.

Kidney transplantation is successful in 90% of cases and Australia has one of the best success rates of kidney transplant survival in the world.

Dr Mathew said that sustained funding is needed at a federal and state level to support organ donation in hospitals which are working hard under the current collaborative program to increase the level of transplantation.

"Patients on dialysis and their families are under great pressure waiting for the telephone call which could spell a new chance at life through a kidney transplant."

Media Enquiries:
Dr Tim Mathew, Medical Director Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0416 149 863
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications Kidney Health Australia Mobile: 0417 329 201

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a significant and growing public health problem, responsible for substantial burden of illness and premature mortality. In Australia, it is a fact that:

1 in 3 adults are at increased risk of developing CKD
1 in 7 adults have at least one clinical sign of existing CKD
A person can lose up to 90% of their kidney function before experiencing any symptoms
Approximately 2 million Australians may be affected by early-stage kidney disease and don't know it
Over 40 Australians die of kidney failure each day
11.3% of all deaths in Australia are due to, or associated with, kidney failure. Every day, 6 Australians commence expensive dialysis or transplantation to stay alive
Most people with CKD will die from cardiovascular causes before requiring dialysis or transplantation

Kidney Health Australia | GPO Box 9993 | Melbourne | Victoria | 3001 | Australia