Tunisia Sees Significant Increase in Organ Transplants, But Donor List Remains Long
The Director General of the National Center for the Promotion of Organ Transplantation and Professor of Cardiac Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine in Tunis, Jalel Eddine Ziadi, announced on Thursday that the center has successfully performed 6 organ harvests from individuals in a state of brain death since the beginning of the current year. These harvests have enabled the performance of over 8 kidney transplants and 3 heart and liver transplants.
During a sensitization day organized by the center in partnership with the Technical Police Directorate, the center's director added that in 2025, Tunisia performed a total of 45 organ transplants from individuals in a state of brain death, distributed among 22 kidney transplants, 11 liver transplants, and 12 heart transplants.
However, he noted that the waiting list for organ transplants remains long, particularly for patients suffering from kidney failure, with approximately 1,600 people waiting for a kidney transplant.
On the other hand, the waiting lists for liver and heart transplants have fewer patients, as individuals in need of these organs cannot wait for long periods due to their vital role in maintaining life.
Ziadi reiterated that organ donation is a solidary, free, and transparent act. He called on citizens to register the mention "donor" on their national identity card (CIN) to facilitate the donation process in the event of brain death, describing organ donation as a "gift of life."
He also explained that this sensitization day is part of the center's principles, which focus on raising awareness of the importance of organ donation.
In addition, he emphasized the importance of the presence of representatives from the Technical Police, National Guard, Police, and National Security at this information day. These individuals, according to him, are key actors in the organ transplantation process, ensuring protection and facilitating the transport of organs, as well as contributing to the registration of the mention "donor" on national identity cards, thus ensuring the realization of donations in the shortest possible time.
He noted that the number of individuals carrying the mention "donor" remains limited, standing at approximately 16,000 people, a figure he considers insufficient to meet the growing needs.
He specified that out of 16,000 registered donors, only a very small number of cases – estimated at around 4 people – can actually lead to an organ donation, once all the required medical conditions are met and brain death is confirmed.
The director emphasized that the number of individuals waiting for organ transplants is constantly increasing from year to year, stressing the importance of prevention, adopting a healthy diet, and engaging in sports to avoid certain diseases that can lead to organ failure.
From his side, the General Commissioner of Police and Head of the National Identity Unit at the Technical Police and Scientific Directorate, Abdelkrim Saoud, stated that this sensitization day aims to raise awareness among officials and agents of the importance of organ donation and increase the number of individuals holding national identity cards with the mention "donor."
Mr. Saoud specified that the required documents to obtain a national identity card mentioning the quality of donor consist of presenting three identity photos and the original national identity card to the security unit (police or national guard), in addition to filling out a special form signed by the unit chief. He emphasized that the procedure is free and does not require any fiscal stamp.
He also assured that the Technical Police and Scientific Directorate puts its resources at the disposal of the National Center for the Promotion of Organ Transplantation, mobilizing its officials and agents to enable citizens to add the mention "donor" to their national identity cards, thus ensuring the realization of donations in the shortest possible time.
It is worth noting that this sensitization day was organized under the slogan "Donor Identity Card" as part of the information activities of the National Center for the Promotion of Organ Transplantation, in the presence of representatives from various bodies and cadres of security, with the aim of encouraging them to add the mention "donor" to their national identity cards.
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