Doha: Nearly 35,000 people have registered to become an organ donor since May when Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) launched its annual organ donation campaign, that was kicked off during Ramadan and will run until the end of this year.

Since the Qatar Organ Donor Registry was launched in 2012, around 300,000 donors, or 15 percent of the country’s adult population, have signed up to become an organ donor.

Dr Riadh Fadhil, Director of HMC’s Qatar Organ Donation Center (Hiba), said during the Holy Month of Ramadan, representatives from Hiba staffed information booths at 14 locations across the country.

“The success of the organ donation campaign has meant that Qatar’s Organ Donor Registry is now close to crossing the 300,000 mark,” said Dr. Fadhil. “The people of Qatar, both citizens and residents, continue to show their support for Qatar’s unique, world-class, and equitable donor registry.”

An organ donor registry is a national, confidential list of individuals who have agreed to donate their organs after their death. It can be quickly accessed in the event of a death to see whether an individual has registered their willingness to be an organ donor. Qatar has a single waiting list for organ transplantation with unbiased access to transplant services, irrespective of nationality. This feature is distinct to Qatar and differentiates the program from that of neighboring countries.

“This list literally saves the lives of people waiting for a viable organ,” said Dr. Fadhil. “We aim to have 350,000 registered donors by the end of this year and will continue to have information booths at eleven locations across Qatar to help us reach this number. Members of the public will be able to visit them to find out more about becoming a registered organ donor, including what the process entails and its benefits. They can also have their questions about organ transplantation answered and can register as a donor and receive their donor card.”

An organ transplant can be a life-saving procedure. It can also significantly improve the quality of life for someone with chronic organ failure. A deceased organ donor can save up to eight lives. It is also possible to donate a kidney or part of the liver while alive. Currently, Qatar offers kidney and liver transplantation programs.

For more information about organ donation in Qatar and how to register as an organ donor, visit http://hamad.qa