Ministry of Health Draft Proposal to Expand Organ Donation Scope and Improve Emergency Care
The Ministry of Health plans to increase post-mortem organ donation sources, grant this right to individuals under 18, and develop the emergency care system.
The Ministry of Health has prepared a new draft law and project aimed at expanding sources of post-mortem organ and tissue donations, allowing individuals under 18 to donate organs, and developing the pre-hospital emergency care system for the 2026-2030 period.
Press Conference and Main Objectives
The Ministry of Health shared new developments in health policies during a press conference held at the beginning of October. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Health Vu Manh Ha, and officials detailed the new draft law.
The ministry aims to establish a modern pre-hospital emergency medical service system nationwide by increasing the sources of post-mortem organ and tissue donations.
Post-Mortem Organ Donation Sources
Current regulations only permit organ retrieval from donors diagnosed with brain death. The new bill paves the way for individuals who have died due to irreversible circulatory arrest to also make donations.
It is noted that international examples show post-mortem organ donation constitutes a significant source, which shortens waiting times for patients awaiting transplants.
Individuals Under 18 and the Risk of Organ Trafficking
The draft enables individuals under the age of 18 to donate organs following brain death or circulatory arrest.
It is stated that this expansion will reduce the pressure on living organ donors and help limit the risk of illicit organ trafficking.
Determination of Death and Panel Processes
The bill emphasizes the principle that the determination of death must be kept separate from the retrieval of tissues and organs. Determination procedures are carried out only in appropriately equipped centers.
The determination of death from brain death or circulatory failure requires the unanimous vote of an expert panel, and the falsification of results is prohibited.
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care System Project
Prepared for the 2026-2030 period, the project defines pre-hospital emergency care as a critical component of the health system.
Goals include establishing coordination networks in all provinces and training commune-level health workers.
Emergency Response and Infrastructure Targets
Within the scope of the project, it is aimed to have at least one standard ambulance per 100,000 people and to ensure response times for critical cases do not exceed a certain threshold.
Plans include standardizing the emergency information line and establishing an interconnected network among relevant centers.