© SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen, tous droits réservés
At the ministerial council on Friday morning, the Minister of Health, Etienne Schneider, provided the entire team with organ donation cards, also known as "Passeport de vie".
As Schneider said on Twitter, the owner of the card can specify on the card what exactly their wishes are concerning organ donation.
In accepting the organ donation cards given to them by their fellow minister, the government members expressed support for organ donation. In a press release, the Ministry of Health highlighted that organ donation is a fundamentally generous act which can save lives.
Schneider stressed the persistent shortage of donated organs and emphasised the importance of raising awareness on the matter.
The 1982 law on the removal of human organs and tissues assumes that Luxembourgish residents are willing to donate their organs, unless they specify otherwise. In practice though, medical professionals always seek the deceased's next of kin or relatives' consent before going ahead with any organ donation. Unfortunately, many relatives still refuse to donate their loved one's organs.
A written record of the individual's wishes can make the task of medical professionals easier, as well as sparing family members a very emotional decision in an already challenging and often unexpected situation.
You can order a "Passeport de vie" free of charge by phone on 247-85569 or online at http://www.dondorganes.lu
