UZA Lunch & Learn

Organ donation remains of utmost importance, as the demand for organs continues to exceed the number of organs needed for transplantation while waiting lists remain long and continue to increase. In Belgium, it is therefore essential to continue raising awareness and encouraging people to explicitly register as organ donors. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in donation after circulatory death (DCD), broadening the potential donor pool. Within this group, organ donation after euthanasia (ODE) represents a highly specific and still exceptional form of donation. Nevertheless, the number of ODE donors has gradually increased over the past years.

This type of donation raises specific ethical questions and requires careful and well-coordinated donor management in the time leading up to the scheduled euthanasia. Although protocols and guidelines have been established to ensure a safe, respectful and ethical process, successful ODE requires flexibility and close collaboration between all healthcare professionals involved. This presentation will provide an overview of organ donation in Belgium and at our institution, followed by a closer look at the specific challenges, ethical considerations and practical management of organ donation after euthanasia.

About the speaker(s)

• Prof. dr. Geert Roeyen (Transplant centre)
• Dr. Ellen Liekens (Transplant centre)