Germany's organ donation register, launched in March 2024, has registered only 274,250 individuals, a figure far below expectations. Despite a steady increase in registrations, the growth rate remains concerningly slow. The register, managed by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, encourages citizens to declare their willingness to donate organs posthumously. This decision is reversible, allowing changes or deletions at any time.
Technical barriers are seen as a significant obstacle to broader participation. Registration requires an ID with online functionality and access to a smartphone or computer with a card reader. For many, these requirements pose a challenge, prompting calls for simplification and enhanced promotion of the portal. Notably, 81,400 registrations were completed via health insurance apps, with over 83% of respondents expressing full consent to organ donation, while about 8% registered objections.
The urgency of increasing donor registrations is underscored by the fact that over 8,200 people are on waiting lists for transplants. In 2024, a total of 3,854 organs were donated, including kidneys, livers, hearts, and lungs. Organs are distributed through Eurotransplant, facilitating international exchanges. These statistics highlight the critical need for improved organ donation rates to meet the high demand and save more lives.
