New Transplantation Act – What happens to organ donation after the yes at the ballot box? – News

The federal government must now set up a central register for the expression of will. Until then, organs can be removed by living will or donation card.

With the Yes to the Transplantation Act, the signs are changing for organ donation. From today’s approval to future contradiction. What does the schedule look like and what will then change for people who donate their organs or don’t want to donate them?

For now everything stays the same. Organs such as the liver, lungs, heart or kidneys and tissue are only donated by those who agreed to do so during their lifetime or if the relatives welcome this on behalf of the deceased.

Change needs lead time

According to the new rule, all donors are possible unless they had explicitly said no to this during their lifetime. If their will is unclear, their relatives will be called in as before.

This is because everyone must have been informed about the new organ donation system. Flavia Wasserfallen, co-president of the pro-committee, says: “After the yes to the law, we have to reach these people even more.”

The Bernese SP National Councilor adds: “For this we also have to intensify the information activities.” This is a sticking point, because previous information campaigns on organ donation have failed to achieve their goals.

Expression of will requires data protection

Another sticking point is that the federal government must keep a new register for no or yes to organ donation. This is required by the Transplantation Act. Until now, the legal basis for this was simply missing, states health politician Wasserfallen.

“We now have clear requirements for data protection. That will be a public task and it will also be possible to secure this register,” says Wasserfallen.

She is addressing the existing register of the national foundation for organ donation and transplantation (Swisstransplant). This was closed at the beginning of the year due to security gaps until further notice, since the data protection officer intervened.

New register probably in two years

The officer is expected to clarify the next steps together with Swisstransplant by the summer. The director of Swisstransplant, Franz Immer, says: “It is still unclear whether the register will be started again or whether we will wait.”

Legend:

The new register will probably come in 2024 at the earliest, says the Swisstransplant director.

Keystone/Archive

This means waiting for the new federal register. “The Federal Office of Public Health will now create a new federal register where you can enter a yes and no. That is the basic requirement for this system change.”

He assumes that it will be the year 2024. In any case, anyone who has decided to donate an organ can state their will in writing, for example in a living will or in the organ donation card. Whether it’s a no – or a yes.