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Date: 16/06/2017

Source: MOPH

Press Release Concerning Organes Donation

The Information Office of Deputy Prime Minister Health Minister Ghassan Hasbani issued the following statement:

Deputy Prime Minister Health Minister Ghassan Hasbani invites all citizens to donate their organs, as this step has a high humanitarian dimension. However he warns against the risks of circulating the names of organ donor and recipient, contrary to the provisions of all international laws concerning donation and transplantation of human organs and tissues, since this might have negative implications on the families of the donor and recipient at the psychological, social and economic levels.

Hasbani mentioned decision No. 1/65 issued by the Ministry of Public Health on 21/01/2009, of which clause 13 of article three literally stipulates the following:

Coordinating and working with concerned administrations and parties and civil communities to disseminate the culture of organ and tissue donation in Lebanon through educational programs, media and publicity according to the following principles:
Complying with the confidentiality of the identity of the deceased donor and the sick recipient.
Coordinating with competent authorities to prevent sick people that require the transplantation of an organ to appear in a program for the Awareness of organ and tissue donation and transplantation, since the awareness is for the general interest and not the private interest.
Coordinating with competent authorities to prevent the use of an Id or personal photograph of physicians, surgeons or hospitalization institutions in which donated organs are removed or transplanted in press releases that aim at raising awareness on donation.
Refraining from referring to sick people that underwent transplantation surgery less than one year ago to help in disseminating the culture of donation.
Seeking the assistance of the parents of the deceased donor in disseminating the culture of donation, knowing that the donation operation should exceed one year.

Hence, Health Minister hopes that everyone:

Media specialists
All audiovisual, written and electronic media
Social media users
Concerned parties (parents of the donor and recipient)
Health workers

Abide by the above mentioned decision and not to publish any information on donation operation, donor or recipient and implement the same according to legal, moral and ethical laws.

Hasbani appreciates the rush of some people to encourage organ donation but stresses that the name of the donor and recipient should not be mentioned and counts on their awareness of the importance to abide by the above mentioned decision.