Kazakhstan health chief gives consent to posthumous organ donation

Kazakhstan’s Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova has registered her consent to become a posthumous organ donor, urging greater openness about a decision that could potentially help patients awaiting life-saving transplants.

Alnazarova said on social media that she had already recorded her wishes through Kazakhstan’s eGov electronic government system.

“I believe it is important to speak about this openly. Not because I am the health minister, but because each of us may one day face the need to make such a decision — for ourselves or for someone close to us,” Alnazarova said, according to Kazinform.

Around 184,000 people in Kazakhstan have already given consent to posthumous organ donation, according to figures cited by the minister.

At the same time, 4,867 people are currently awaiting organ transplants in the country. Of those, 4,311 require kidney transplants, 314 are waiting for liver transplants, 212 need heart transplants, and 30 require lung transplants.

Alnazarova’s decision comes as Kazakhstan continues to encourage public participation in its organ-donation system, with the registration of an individual’s wishes intended to provide a clear indication of their position regarding donation after death.

By Tamilla Hasanova