Improving organ donation and transplants in the EU

Question for written answer  E-001097/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Jutta Paulus (Verts/ALE)

Organ transplants are a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage organ failure, providing a better quality of life at a lower cost to society.

Thanks to the EU Action Plan on Organ Donation and Transplantation, remarkable advances were made in organ donation and transplants in the EU between 2009 and 2015. Since then however, progress has tailed off.

When asked for possible reasons for this, people tend to suspect opaque distribution structures that may provide access to wealthier patients instead of those most in need. Others fear having to give up their organs prematurely when in possession of a donor card.

91 European stakeholders recently endorsed an open letter calling for a new EU Action Plan on Organ Donation and Transplantation.

In light of the above, is the Commission planning:

• 1.a second EU action plan to help alleviate the pressure on national organ donation and transplant programmes due to COVID-19 and other persistent problems?
• 2.measures to ensure greater transparency of and fairness in access to organ transplants so as to increase trust among the population and the availability of organ transplants?
• 3.any other actions to promote organ donation and transplants by harmonising different approaches between countries, facilitating coordination and monitoring progress?