16.04.11
Scottish organ donors hit 2 million
The organ donor register in Scotland has exceeded 2 million people, around two-fifths of the population.
This year also saw the highest ever number of deceased organ donors at 81, up by nine on 2011.
The figures, as measured on March 31 of this year, show that 2,025,400 people are on the register.
Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: “It is a fantastic achievement that we have passed the two million mark. The number of Scots on the NHS Organ Donor Register is higher than ever before and higher than the UK average.
“These figures also show that we have achieved the target of a 50% increase on the number of deceased donors which the UK Organ Donation Taskforce set in its January 2008 report.
“However, we know that there is still more to be done. The tragic fact is that more than 600 people in Scotland are still waiting for a life-saving transplant and across the UK three people die every day because they don’t get the organ they need in time.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]