Gauteng Health urges donations as 6 500 South Africans wait for transplants

Thousands of South Africans are waiting for life-saving organ and tissue transplants, the Gauteng Department of Health said, and it is urging people to register as donors to help close the gap between need and supply.

Who is waiting and what the numbers show

The department said an estimated 6 500 people across South Africa are currently waiting for organ and tissue transplants. It said about 1 100 patients are waiting for kidney transplants, while others are being assessed or placed on transplant waiting lists.

The department highlighted that demand far exceeds supply. It reported that South Africa performed approximately 317 solid organ transplants in 2024 across public and private healthcare facilities.

What donation can achieve

The department said a single organ donor can save up to seven lives, and tissue donation can improve the lives of as many as 50 people. It listed organs that can be donated as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas, and said tissue donation can include corneas, skin, heart valves, bone, blood vessels and connective tissue.

The department also noted that donation is not limited to people who have died: living donors can safely donate one kidney or part of their liver while continuing to live healthy lives, and medical advances have made living donation a safe and effective option for many patients.

Families, myths and decision-making

The department acknowledged the difficulty families face when deciding about donation and said myths and misconceptions continue to discourage some people from registering. It stressed that organ donation does not automatically take place after a person registers, and medical professionals assess each potential donor to determine suitability.

“Many patients become too ill to undergo transplantation, while others lose their lives before a donor organ becomes available,”

The department urged families to discuss donation wishes ahead of time.

“In many cases, families are asked about organ donation during moments of immense grief,”

It said that having previously discussed a loved one’s wishes can provide guidance and comfort when decisions must be made.

How to register

People who want to become organ or tissue donors can register with the Organ Donor Foundation of South Africa or enquire at their nearest hospital, the department said. It said registering could give hope to people on waiting lists and potentially help save multiple lives.