Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases, if rejection is diagnosed early, it can be treated. Close monitoring of the patient post-transplant, regular medication, and necessary tests can prevent complete rejection.

The success rate of transplants is reported to be over 85% in most cases. The recipient's body may reject the transplanted organ due to improper self-care or, in very rare cases, spontaneously.

The waiting time can range from a few days to several years, depending on the severity of the clinical condition, the availability of the organ, and compatibility. Unfortunately, between 10% to 25% of patients on various organ waiting lists in Iran die each year due to the unavailability of a transplant organ.

No; unfortunately, it is currently not possible to transfer a brain-dead individual or donated organs from other countries to Iran.

Yes; you can cancel your request at any time through the website. However, since family consent is required, simply informing your family of your decision is sufficient to withdraw from donation. To cancel your organ donation card, log into your profile on the website, go to the edit profile section, uncheck the organ donation card option, select the reason for cancellation, and click the save button at the bottom of the page. Your card will be canceled immediately.

Considering the need for family consent, it is recommended that cardholders inform their families of their decision. If the family is aware, carrying the card constantly is unnecessary. Fortunately, with the creation of the website www.ehdacenter.ir, all organ procurement units in the country can easily check whether a brain-dead individual has an organ donation card.

The organ donation card reflects the individual's heartfelt desire to donate their organs, which can make decision-making easier for the family during a critical time. It also serves as a cultural awareness tool. Studies show that families often wish to fulfill their loved one's wishes, even if they initially disagree.

According to the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran, an organ donation card is not the primary requirement for organ donation after brain death. The consent of the legal guardians is essential.

No, the identities of both parties remain confidential for several reasons, including: a) Rarely, some donor family members may later request material compensation from the recipient's family. b) Sometimes, the transplant is rejected, and the recipient does not survive. Since the recipient is like a new child to the donor's family, it feels as though they have lost their child twice. c) Sometimes, the donor's family expects the recipient to adhere strictly to the donor's religious and lifestyle practices, which can cause issues for the recipient and their family. d) Occasionally, donor families may wish to frequently (sometimes daily) visit the recipient to keep the memory of their loved one alive, which can disrupt the recipient's life. In very rare cases, under special conditions and with mutual consent, the Transplant Management Center of the Ministry of Health may facilitate contact between the two parties under strict supervision.

No; the transplanted organ is given as a gift to the recipient's family free of charge, and the recipient does not pay for the organ. To ensure this, you can attend the annual organ transplant celebration (Celebration of Life) and speak with donor and recipient families to ask questions. Any violations in this regard should be reported immediately to the Transplant and Disease Treatment Management Center of the Ministry of Health, located in Tehran's West Town, Ivank Street, Building A, 3rd Floor.

Contrary to popular belief, the donor's body is not mutilated. Similar to open-heart surgery, a surgical incision is made on the chest and abdomen, organs are removed, and the body is neatly repaired. When the body is returned to the family, aside from the sutures, no changes are visible. The donor's body is then delivered to the family for burial at their desired location. A transplant coordinator attends the funeral or memorial service with a bouquet and a plaque of appreciation, reading the plaque aloud so everyone understands that this act was a selfless organ donation, not a sale.

Infectious diseases such as HIV and most malignancies prevent organ donation. However, all conditions are reassessed at the time of death.

Yes, but in the event of an accident leading to brain death, the medical team will carefully assess the health of each organ. If there are no issues, organs that function properly can be donated.

All organ donors are screened for HIV, hepatitis, similar viruses, and certain malignancies.

Yes, under certain conditions, a living person can be a donor. The kidney is one of the most commonly donated organs from living donors, as a healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney. Part of the liver can also be donated to others, and in rare cases, part of the small intestine can be donated.

Yes; after natural death, tissues such as the cornea, heart valves, bones, and tendons can be donated for up to 48 hours. Note: A method called Donation after Circulatory Death (DCD) has become common in some countries, where certain organs from cardiac-dead individuals can be used under specific techniques and limitations.

Donatable organs include the heart, lungs, liver, small intestine, pancreas, and kidneys. In addition to these organs, certain body tissues (such as the cornea, tendons, skin, heart valves, etc.) can also be transplanted. Donating the cornea can restore vision to someone who has suffered severe eye damage. Tendons and cartilage help repair damaged tissues. Bone transplantation can prevent amputation in cases of bone cancer. Heart valves are used for children with congenital valve diseases and adults with damaged valves. Skin transplantation can save patients with severe burns. Bone marrow transplantation is the only possible treatment for certain blood cancers. Unlike organs, tissues can be donated up to 24 or even 48 hours after death and can be stored for long periods. In summary, a single brain-dead individual can save the lives of 1 to 8 people by donating vital organs and can free 1 to 53 people from disabilities by donating tissues.

Organ donation refers to the transfer of organs from one individual to another to save lives or improve the quality of life. Organ donation can occur from living donors (such as kidney donation or partial liver or lung donation from adults to their children) or from brain-dead individuals, or in specific cases, from cardiac-dead individuals under special conditions and with specific equipment and preparations.