In 2021, 72 people died while on an organ transplant waiting list in Switzerland. At the end of the year, 1,400 were waiting for an organ transplant in the country.
Bearing the fact in mind that many deaths are sudden and the deceased person may not have expressed a wish to donate their organs, Switzerland, through a referendum, has decided for 'presumed consent'. This means that unless a person has expressed wish against being an organ donor post death, they will be treated as a potential donor.
According to the rules, those wishing to not become organ donors must explicitly say so. Anyone who hasn't made their wish clear would be assumed to be in favour, however, relatives can refuse donation if they suspect or know the deceased would have chosen to not donate.
The rule for donating organs will apply only to people aged 16 and above and it will be applicable only to people who die in a hospital intensive care, and after their death has been confirmed by two doctors.
A legal change was approved by 60% of voters.
However, Switzerland is not the first country to implement the model. Many other European countries already practice it.
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