In 2024, 111 deceased solid organ donors gave the gift of life to 236 recipients. Public Domain
For the fourth consecutive year, Greece has seen a significant increase in its organ transplant program, with 2024 emerging as a landmark year. The Hellenic Transplant Organization (EOM) reports that Greece’s successful strategy is now being recognized internationally as a model for development.
The data for 2024 is particularly encouraging:
- 111 deceased solid organ donors gave the gift of life to 236 recipients.
- When including the 125 generous living donors, the total number of patients who benefited from a transplant reached 361.
This remarkable growth is a testament to a multifaceted and dedicated effort.
The role of hospitals in Greece’s organ transplantation
The success of the program is built on the foundation of the country’s Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Leading donor hospitals in 2024 included major medical centers in Athens and Heraklion.
Significantly, the “refusal of relatives” rate has dropped to just 26%, a figure comparable to other European nations. According to HTO President Georgios Papatheodoridis, this proves that citizens are willing to consent to organ donation when properly informed.
A crucial factor in this success is the Local Transplant Coordinator (LTC). These coordinators, first introduced with funding from the Onassis Foundation, have proven to be an essential link between ICUs and potential donors. Hospitals with LTCs accounted for 60 of the 111 donors in 2024.
Building on this success, the number of LTCs expanded from 7 to 20 in October 2024, supported by the Ministry of Health and the Recovery Fund Program, to achieve nationwide coverage.
Beyond the numbers: Human lives and future goals
While celebrating these achievements, Papatheodoridis emphasizes that there is no room for complacency. The increase in transplants has also led to a larger waiting list on the National Registry of Candidate Recipients. The HTO remains committed to its goal of reaching the European average, which would require at least 200 donors annually.
The focus is not just on quantity but on quality. Despite being a country with a smaller population and less experience in transplantation, Greece has achieved outstanding success rates, particularly in heart and lung transplants, which surpass several international survival indicators.
The HTO, he said, is dedicated to ensuring that transplant units have the necessary resources to continue delivering these excellent results.
Ultimately, behind every number are human lives. As Papatheodoridis notes, this achievement is a collective effort involving donors and their families, organizations, and healthcare professionals.
“Behind the numbers are human lives,” he concludes, “lost lives that gained their dignity and lives gained due to the greatness of human existence that transcends pain to give life.”
Related: First-Ever Pig-to-Human Lung Transplant Performed in China