State to Continue Supporting Organ Transplants in Slovakia

Bratislava, February 8 (TASR) – The number of organ transplants in Slovakia is increasing, according to a Health Ministry-sponsored report on meeting the National Transplant Programme, which was acknowledged by the Cabinet at its regular session on Wednesday.

According to the report, doctors in Slovakia transplanted 184 kidneys, 27 hearts and 34 livers in 2015, while in 2014 only 125 kidneys, 17 hearts and 23 livers were transplanted. Figures for 2016 will only be available in March.

Health Minister Tomas Drucker (a Smer-SD nominee) considers this increase to be a success and wants to continue with this positive trend. On the European scale, however, Slovakia is among those countries posting a low number of organ transplants. The National Transplantation Programme is therefore offering measures that should change this status within two years. The Cabinet thus approved to allocate €150,000 from the Health Ministry budget to this effect. The money will be used to renew some cryopreservation equipment as well as boxes designed for organ transport.

The ministry further wants Slovakia to take part in international research projects to a greater extent and implement the results from the projects into praxis. A nationwide media campaign, sponsored by the Health Ministry, should help to promote organ donations as well.

There are currently six facilities in Slovakia that carry out organ transplants: three in Bratislava and one each in Banska Bystrica, Kosice and Martin (Zilina region). Lung transplants for Slovak patients are carried out in Vienna.