As of Monday, people in Germany can sign up for an online registry to indicate their intention to donate their organs after death.
Until now, people could only record such decisions on paper or on organ donor cards. It is possible to do so in the future, but German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach warned of the risk of such documents being lost or not found.
new registry The system not only makes it easier for doctors to quickly and reliably reveal potential donation intentions, but also aims “above all to relieve relatives of difficult decisions in times of emergency.” “There are,” Lauterbach said.
The registry was introduced as part of a law passed by the German Bundestag (German parliament) in 2020, following an initiative led by Foreign Minister Annalena Verbock.
The scheme was originally scheduled to start on March 1, 2022, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and other factors.
How does Germany’s online organ donor registration work?
You can register from the age of 16.
In the first phase, starting Monday, entries will require an ID card with online functionality enabled. Starting in 2017, this feature will be automatically enabled every time a new ID card is issued.
To register, you will need a smartphone, tablet, or computer card reader that can exchange data over short distances, such as contactless payments.
From July 1, clinics that harvest organs will be able to search and obtain declarations in the register. By September 30th at the latest, people should be able to more easily enroll through health insurance apps.
Data is stored on servers in Germany, and authentication procedures are designed to ensure that only the person who has documented the decision and authorized hospital staff can access the entries. Entries can be changed or deleted at any time.
as/fb (AFP, DPA)
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