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The Kidney Foundation of Canada says it’s always enthusiastic about any initiative that increases discussion about organ donation.
Nova Scotia has announced it will introduce a presumed consent system in which residents would have to opt-out if they choose not to donate organs.
Atlantic executive director Trina Ralph says the new system will take about a year to implement.
“To ensure there are enough transplant surgeons to handle increased demand. (To make sure) there are enough transplant coordinators – they are education providers who can educate both the general public and other teams throughout the hospital to help identify any person who may be eligible to donate their organs.”
For a wide range of reasons, she says only about 5 per cent of the population are eligible to donate their organs.
Ralph adds other provinces have been discussing a similar organ donation system but she’s not able to say if some are also considering presumed consent.
