The COVID-19 pandemic and the refusal of the families of potential donors to donate caused a decline in the number of organ transplants. Twenty organ transplants were performed in Moldova since the beginning of 2020 at a time when the waiting list includes 80 persons, RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service reports.

National Transplant Agency director Vladimir Bolocan told RFE/RL’s Moldovan Service that two years ago, the refusal rate was 70%, while the last month was 24%. The lack of information is the main cause of refusals. The people do not know what transplantation means and are afraid.

The authorities intend to create a register of refusals so as to realize the reasons why the family members of potential donors do not allow organs to be transplanted. According to doctors, among the reasons are particular religious beliefs or stereotypes. “If the solution identified by us for implementing the register of refusals turns out to be reliable, we will be able to work and remove the barriers,” stated Vladimir Bolocan. The register of refusals can become functional next spring.

In 2022, doctors performed eight liver transplants, three kidney transplants and 90 tissue and membrane transplants. The number is higher than the previous years that were marked by the pandemic. For example, at the start of the year, 22 patients were waiting for a kidney transplant, while towards the end of the year the figure rose to 35 persons. Fifty persons were waiting for a liver transplant at yearend, as opposed to 48 at the beginning of the year. More than 20 persons are waiting for a cornea transplant.

A sum of 3.9 million lei will be allocated from the state budget in 2023 for maintaining the Transplant Agency.