Effective Public Health Policy in Organ Donation: Lessons from a Universal Public Health System in Brazil

This book showcases how a successful public health policy in Paraná, Brazil, led to the highest effective organ donors per million population rate in the world. The policy focused on fostering the culture of brain death diagnosis and improving the interaction between Organ Procurement Organizations and Intra-Hospital Organ and Tissue Donation Committees for Transplants. The state of Paraná achieved 47.7 effective donors per million population, outperforming countries like the United States, Canada, Portugal, and Croatia. The book provides valuable insights for policy makers, health professionals, and students interested in understanding how public health policies can enhance organ donation rates in developing countries.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 62 pages
Publication date: 27 April 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This book delves into the remarkable journey of the Brazilian state of Paraná, which has achieved one of the highest rates of effective organ donors per million population in the world. Brazil boasts the largest public transplant system globally, with each of the country's 26 states overseeing its own transplant system. In recent years, Paraná has stood out as a notable exception, boasting an impressive 47.7 effective donors per million population (pmp). This remarkable achievement surpasses countries like the United States (33.3/pmp), Canada (21.9/pmp), Portugal (33.6/pmp), and Croatia (41.2/pmp).

The transformation of Paraná's transplant system, which took place between 2011 and 2020, was inspired by the well-established Spanish model but also exhibited unique characteristics. This book aims to provide a comprehensive account of these steps, highlighting their distinctive features and elucidating the process by which the new system was constructed. By presenting an in-depth analysis of a successful local case, Effective Public Health Policy in Organ Donation: Lessons from a Universal Public Health System in Brazil seeks to offer valuable insights to policy makers, healthcare professionals, and students from diverse fields within the health sciences interested in comprehending how public health policies can enhance organ donation rates, particularly in developing countries.

The state of Paraná's success in organ donation can be attributed to a comprehensive public health policy designed to foster the culture of brain death diagnosis and enhance the interaction between Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) and Intra-Hospital Organ and Tissue Donation Committees (IHOTDCs) for Transplants. This policy involved a multi-faceted approach, encompassing various initiatives and strategies.

One of the key components of the policy was the establishment of a robust infrastructure for organ donation. This included the development of specialized centers for brain death diagnosis, the establishment of organ donation committees within hospitals, and the implementation of standardized protocols for organ retrieval and transplantation. The state also invested in training and education programs for healthcare professionals, ensuring that they had the necessary skills and knowledge to identify potential organ donors and facilitate organ donation processes.

Another important aspect of the policy was the promotion of public awareness and education about organ donation. The state launched campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and the benefits it can bring to patients and their families. These campaigns included television advertisements, social media campaigns, and public events, reaching a wide audience and fostering a sense of responsibility and compassion towards organ donation.

Furthermore, the policy emphasized the importance of collaboration between OPOs and IHOTDCs for Transplants. This collaboration involved regular meetings, information sharing, and joint efforts to improve organ donation rates. The state also established incentives and rewards for hospitals that performed well in organ donation, encouraging them to prioritize organ donation and work towards achieving higher rates.

The success of Paraná's public health policy in organ donation has had a significant impact on the broader healthcare system in the state. The state has become a model for other states in Brazil and beyond, showcasing the potential of public health policies to improve organ donation rates and save lives.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable insight into the successful implementation of a public health policy in organ donation. By focusing on the case of Paraná, Effective Public Health Policy in Organ Donation: Lessons from a Universal Public Health System in Brazil offers valuable lessons and strategies that can be applied to other countries seeking to enhance organ donation rates. The state's commitment to infrastructure development, public awareness and education, collaboration between OPOs and IHOTDCs for Transplants, and incentives and rewards for hospitals have all contributed to its remarkable success in organ donation. As we continue to face the challenges of organ shortage, it is essential to prioritize public health policies that promote organ donation and save lives.

Weight: 125g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030992873
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022