2023 Volume 35 Issue 2 Pages 64-71
Abstract：In Japan, since the enactment of the Organ Transplant Act 25 years ago, 7,071 recipients have received transplants from 889 donations after brain death and 1,717 donations after circulatory death. However, organ donation and transplantation decreased by 38% in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, before eventually recovering in 2022. We implemented cautious safety measures, such as conducting COVID-19 tests and closely monitoring donors and recipients to minimize risks, and as a result, we did not experience any COVID-19 transmission due to organ donation and transplantation. To increase the number of donors and organs, we have implemented a donor hospital collaboration system project and started obtaining high resolution X-ray and computed tomography digital data from donor hospitals to enhance donor evaluation. Additionally, an ad-hoc external professional committee has created a proposal recommending the strengthening of donor family care, creating a procurement coordinators' license, and revising the Act to improve organ transplantation in Japan.
