AUTHOR: Rui Maio
KEYWORDS: Organ shortage, self-sufficiency, transplant coordination, certification
ABSTRACT: Nowadays the main limitation for transplantation is the shortage of organs. Problems continuously arise from the chronic imbalance between supply and demand of organs, namely unacceptable practices such as trafficking of organs
and transplant tourism. To fight against these practices, every country should aim to meet patients’ needs using resources obtained within their own country or through regional cooperation. This new and attractive concept of self-sufficiency
creates challenges to transplant coordination. New standards are necessary and, to achieve them, continuous education and certification are essential. The Certificate of European Transplant Coordination (CETC) has been redesigned in accordance with the recommendation of the European Union and is being offered again, this time under the auspices of the UEMS. The newly formed Board of Transplant Coordination is made up of transplant coordinators from countries all over Europe selected by their national organizations. The board is within the Division of Transplantation of the UEMS, but runs independently and in close collaboration with ETCO.
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