German Federal Minister for Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) has urged the public to engage with the topic of organ donation. Speaking at the Day of Organ Donation on Saturday, Hubig expressed concern that there are currently too few donors in Germany, noting that many patients urgently require donor organs due to very long waiting lists. The minister shared that she has personally chosen to acquire an organ donation ID and strongly encouraged everyone else to familiarize themselves with the issue and complete such a document. Furthermore, Hubig stressed the necessity of conducting a political debate on how the rate of donations can be increased. She welcomed the initiative to find cross-party solutions for regulating organ donation within the German Bundestag.
Meanwhile, the German Foundation for Organ Transplantation (DSO) stated that a bundle of measures is needed to boost the number of organ donations. According to a spokesperson from the “Rheinische Post,” these efforts must include continuous public education campaigns, clear documentation of patient decisions, and well-established structures within hospitals performing organ retrieval. The DSO also expressed its support for the proposed draft law introducing an opt-out system (Widerspruchslösung). The spokesperson added that such a regulation would be a “vital component” in sustainably strengthening organ donation in Germany and improving the situation for patients currently on waiting lists, though she cautioned that there is no single measure guaranteed to raise donation figures significantly.
