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Recent data released by the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) reveals a significant disparity in organ donation rates among different ethnic groups in the Netherlands. While the overall number of adults refusing organ donation has slightly decreased, there remains a notable trend among Dutch citizens of Turkish, Moroccan, or Surinamese descent.
The data highlights that 75% to 98% of adults born in Turkey, Morocco, or Suriname, or with a parent from these countries, have explicitly refused organ donation. This contrasts sharply with native Dutch adults, among whom only one-third decline to be organ donors.
According to the CBS figures, 10.6 million Dutch adults have registered their organ donation preferences. Of these, 4.8 million have given consent to be organ donors after death, while 4.3 million have declined. The remaining individuals have either left the decision to their next of kin or have not registered a choice, defaulting to a «no objection» status.
Medical professionals express concern over this trend. Dennis Hesselink, a kidney specialist who performs transplants at the Erasmus Medical Center, is quoted by the Dutch newspaper AD as emphasizing the importance of a diverse donor pool. He explains that successful transplantation relies heavily on tissue compatibility between donor and recipient, with ethnicity playing a role in this match.
Hanneke Hagenaars, organ donation coordinator at Erasmus MC, points to cultural differences in healthcare perspectives as a contributing factor. She notes that in some cases, a patient's name can be indicative of how a donation discussion might conclude.
The issue of low organ donation rates among non-Western immigrants is not new. A 2012 CBS study identified religion as a primary factor. However, this explanation may be oversimplified. Hagenaars notes that in predominantly Catholic regions of the Netherlands, people often consent to organ donation, viewing it as an act of charity. She adds that many imams share this perspective.
To address these disparities, the Dutch Transplant Foundation (NTS) is taking proactive measures. These include organizing webinars for medical professionals on cultural perspectives of donation, holding symposia, and launching targeted campaigns for Moroccan and Turkish communities. Additionally, educational programs on organ donation are being conducted for 17-year-olds in secondary schools and vocational institutions.
