Mashhad — There is a growing need to change the public view toward organ donation, says Dr. Reginaldo Boni, a Brazilian member of the International Donation and Transplantation Institute.

Talking on the sidelines of an international conference on transplantation, implantation and surgery held recently in Mashhad, Boni noted that while the number of organ transplantation is increasing, the shortage of organ donors remains serious.

“Organ donation from brain death patients is approved by law but the public are not aware of it and they are unwilling to donate their brain dead relatives’ organs,” Dr. Boni explained.

Brain dead patients have no chance of survival.

The public is not aware that how serious is the need for organs and this can have a major impact on donors’ decision, he explained. “Understanding the individuals’ motivations and tendencies for donation and the obstacles which hinders the process can help to simplify the procedure.”

“According to transplant law, in addition to patients’ permission, family’s consent is also necessary for organ donation after brain death,” he stated.

“The majority of people have negative attitude toward life-giving organ donation and therefore educating the public in order to shake their beliefs, develop positive attitudes and increase their awareness is essential,” he noted.

Dr. Boni also said nurses who have regular contact with patients’ family members can play an important role. “Considering the role of education in improving attitudes, consistent training programs for nurses to communicate better with the patient’s family are strongly recommended.”