The Effect of the Earthquake in Türkiye on Organ Donation and Transplantation.

Abstract

Introduction: Organ shortage is a global issue. A disaster like an earthquake not only increases the number of people in need of organs but also negatively affects the treatment processes of patients who have already undergone transplants. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the impact of the earthquake that occurred on February 6, 2023, in Türkiye on organ donation and transplantation. Methods: The study was conducted using open-access statistical data of 2022-2023 years available on the official website of the Tissue, Organ Transplantation, and Dialysis Services of the Ministry of Health in Türkiye. Results: It was found that the earthquake did not affect the number of organ transplants, organ donations, brain death diagnoses, and family consent in Türkiye, but in the provinces affected by the earthquake, it decreased the number of organ donations, brain death diagnoses, and living donors and increased the number of family consent. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals in disaster-affected regions should receive specialized training to maintain critical organ donation protocols, supported by decentralized coordination systems that ensure the continuity of these processes even when central networks are disrupted.