THE Irish Kidney Association hopes for a return to a higher level of organ donation by the public following "a 20 per cent drop" last year.
The number of organ donations last year - including kidney, heart, liver, pancreas and corneas - dropped after five years of consistently high figures. The decrease is being examined by the association, which supervises the "multi-organ donor card" system.
Based on the findings of its annual survey of public attitudes to donation, it has established that the fall was not due to concerns following the hepatitis C scandal. It has yet to establish the cause.
The survey, conducted earlier this month by Irish Marketing Surveys, has shown no significant changes in attitudes to organ donation, according to the association's chief executive, Ms Patricia Doherty, yesterday.
It found that 84 per cent of respondents would be willing to donate any of their organs on death if they were suitable. Some 73 per cent said that, immediately following the death of a loved one they would agree to donate their organs if asked by a doctor.
While 66 per cent said they would allow the donation of all organs required, they were significantly more reluctant when asked to specify what organs they would donate.
"The survey has failed to identify any major change in public attitude to organ donation, suggesting other reasons for the decline, which we are examining. It may be a freak once-off," said Ms Doherty.
The Minister of State for Health, Mr Brian O'Shea, said he was concerned with the fall in donations when he announced the Irish Kidney Association's 1997 donor awareness week which runs from Saturday until the following Saturday, April 5th. "It shows that we must not be complacent in our efforts to encourage organ donation."
He confirmed that last year 241 transplants were carried out in the State. These included 10 heart transplants at the Mater Hospital; 12 liver transplants at St Vincent's Hospital; 109 cornea transplants; with 108 kidney transplants and two kidney/pancreas transplants at Beaumont Hospital.
The total number, however, was lower than the 1995 total. He hoped that the reduction was temporary and that transplants would increase significantly this year. Organ donation figures since the beginning of this year offered hope as 29 donations to date suggest a higher year total.
In about 70 per cent of cases, donations are "multi-donor" involving donation of all available organs for transplant. There are now six people waiting for a liver transplant. Most available livers go abroad as suitable recipients are not found at home. A total of 15 people are awaiting a heart transplant and 125 are in need of a kidney transplant.
In recent years, Ireland had one of the highest rates of organ donation per head of population which, Mr O'Shea said, was "a reflection of the Irish spirit and its willingness to support those awaiting transplants".
Recent scientific breakthroughs, such as the genetic cloning of a sheep and the transplantation of viable animal tissue into humans, were set to benefit organ transplantation by overcoming a shortage of donor organs, said Mr O'Shea.
The Irish Kidney Association is determined that increased donor awareness will "rapidly improve the opportunity of a new life for the many people daily awaiting the gift of life". Its 2,000 members, mostly patients and their families, are taking part in a public education campaign.
During donor week, the association will be selling forget-me-nots to stress the importance of organ donation. Donor cards are distributed through pharmacies. A grant of £40,000 to help the multi-organ donor campaign from the National Lottery health allocation was announced by Mr O'Shea.
