EKHA Workshop Highlights Need for EU Action on Organ Donation and Transplantation

On 25 January 2024, EKHA organised a workshop on organ donation and transplantation in the European Union (EU). This workshop was convened with the support of the Hungarian Permanent Representation to the EU. It provided a unique occasion for assessing opportunities and challenges in the field, in anticipation of the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The workshop brought together stakeholders from across the European organ donation and transplantation landscape, and included healthcare professionals, patient representatives, and national and European policymakers. Through plenary presentations and discussion groups, the workshop assessed the positive impact of the 2009-2015 EU Action Plan on Organ Donation and Transplantation. Moreover, the gathering explored obstacles preventing the further uptake of donation and transplantation in Europe, with discussions highlighting the need for continued EU support and guidance. Discussions focused on the institutional and policy frameworks related to donation and transplantation, the optimisation of processes, research funding, education and training, inequities, as well as benchmarking. Workshop participants agreed that a second EU Action Plan could bring considerable improvements to the field.

The outcomes of the workshop will help to inform the actions on organ donation and transplantation that the Hungarian Council Presidency will launch from July 2024 onwards.