In Kazakhstan, only adults with confirmed brain death can become organ donors, a representative of the Ministry of Health told a briefing at the Central Communications Service, as reported by infohub.kz.
Posthumous donors in the country must be over 18; pediatric organ donation is not practiced. According to Aidar Sitkazinov, director of the Republican Center for Transplantation Coordination and High-Tech Medical Services under the Ministry of Health, 4,739 patients are currently on the waiting list, including 125 children.
“We do not perform pediatric organ retrieval; donors can only be individuals over 18 with a confirmed diagnosis of brain death. For other diagnoses, posthumous donation is not considered,” said Aidar Sitkazinov.
He noted that most patients need a kidney transplant — 4,208 people are awaiting that operation. Additionally, 293 patients are waiting for a liver transplant, 208 for a heart, 30 for lungs, and 5 for a heart-lung block.
The official reminded that Kazakh citizens can register consent or refusal for posthumous donation via the eGov portal. To date, 172,283 people have used this option — 156,174 registered refusal, and 16,109 gave consent. Medical organizations also seek consent from the deceased’s relatives; if the family objects, organ retrieval does not proceed.
Aidar Sitkazinov emphasized that even with a lifetime consent, doctors approach the deceased’s relatives. If the family disagrees, organ retrieval is not performed.