Organ Transplantation in Tunisia: Challenges and Advances
In Tunisia, approximately 1,500 patients are waiting for a kidney transplant, while 14,000 to 15,000 others regularly undergo dialysis sessions, according to Dr. Tahar Gargah, head of the pediatric and pediatric nephrology department at Charles Nicolle Hospital and an advocate for organ donation. He emphasized that the shortage of donors is a major challenge, exacerbated by the growing gap between the number of patients requiring a transplant and the limited number of donors.
Key Statistics
- 1,500 patients waiting for a kidney transplant
- 14,000 to 15,000 patients undergoing regular dialysis sessions
- 1,800 to 1,900 patients waiting for a corneal transplant
This announcement was made at the conclusion of the third International Congress of the Tunisian Association of Coordinators for Organ Donation and Transplantation (ATCDTO), held in parallel with the second scientific days of the National Center for the Promotion of Organ Transplantation in Hammamet. Dr. Gargah indicated that corneal transplants remain among the most in-demand, and that strengthening organ donation is the only solution to improve access to transplants and offer a new chance at life for patients.
Advances in Transplantation
The congress presented the latest technical advances in transplantation, including the coelioscopic technique, which reduces the hospitalization period for donors and decreases the risk of complications, thereby improving the quality and safety of interventions. Discussions also focused on:
- Raising awareness about the importance of organ donation and the role of civil society
- Latest innovations in cardiac and hepatic transplants
- Increasing donations among older adults
- Immunosuppressive medications, essential for the success and durability of transplants
Tunisia's Progress in Transplantation
Since 2019, Tunisia has resumed cardiac transplants, with nearly 50 successful interventions, reinforcing its regional and international medical reputation. Notable progress has also been made in hepatic transplants, particularly in children, as well as in tissue and corneal transplants.
Future Developments
Dr. Gargah highlighted that the introduction of robotic surgery at Charles Nicolle Hospital is a promising step for the future use of this technique in transplants, and that Tunisia continues to follow the latest scientific developments, relying on the expertise of its medical, paramedical, and administrative teams.
Conclusion
The three-day congress aimed to strengthen the culture of organ donation, facilitate the exchange of experiences between healthcare professionals, and follow the latest innovations in the field of organ and tissue transplantation, in a context marked by growing challenges for the transplantation sector.
