Global observatory and database on donation and transplantation: world overview on transplantation activities

The Global Database on Donation and Transplantation is one of the main areas of the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation (GODT), which is the information platform designed to implement some of the requirements of the World Health Assembly Resolution WHA57.18. OBJECTIVES OF THE GLOBAL DATABASE: The objectives are to collect, analyze, and disseminate information on legislative and organizational frameworks and annual aggregated data on donation and transplantation activities of the World Health Organization (WHO) Member States. Another objective is to establish the transplantation network with the national health authorities. The database should provide a working tool that helps to exchange information and be a reference for professionals involved, promoting international cooperation through the website.

The data collection for the Global Database is done through a specific questionnaire, including questions on legislation, organizational systems, and updated data on organs, tissues and cells donation, and transplantation from each country. For the statistical analysis of activity data, descriptive statistics have been used.

The Global Database has organizational and legislative pieces of information of 94 countries. In 2007 activity data of 97 countries have been analyzed. Reported to the database were 21,489 deceased donors. Currently around 100,000 solid organ transplantations are performed per year worldwide: 68,250 kidney, 19,850 liver, 5179 heart, 3245 lung, and 2797 pancreas transplantations.

This kind of tool is necessary to improve knowledge about the donation and transplantation activities over the world. Close collaboration with countries is crucial to obtain reliable data.