According to the 2021 data of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health, a total of 26,894 patients are registered on organ waiting lists across the country. The distribution of patients waiting for transplants by organ type is as follows:

• Kidney: 22,775 patients
• Liver: 2,376 patients
• Heart: 1,290 patients
• Lung: 157 patients
• Pancreas: 285 patients

Estimated Real Numbers and Chronic Kidney Failure

It is estimated that the actual number of patients in need of organ transplantation is at least 2 to 3 times higher than the reported figures. Based on the data from the end of 2020:

• 60,558 patients were enrolled in the hemodialysis program.
• 3,387 patients were receiving peritoneal dialysis.
• 19,405 patients had undergone a kidney transplant due to chronic kidney failure.

In total, approximately 83,350 individuals in Turkey suffer from chronic kidney failure. Moreover, more than 10,000 new patients are added to this group each year, highlighting the growing urgency of organ donation and transplantation efforts.

Living vs. Cadaveric Donors

It is important to note that while kidney and liver transplants can be performed using living donors, lung and heart transplants are only possible from cadaveric (deceased) donors. This fact underscores the critical importance of increasing posthumous organ donation awareness to save more lives.