On World Transplant Day, several health organisations are calling for improved post-operative care in Belgium for patients who had an organ transplant.
Around three organ transplants are performed in Belgium every day, according to Transplantoux, the Belgian Transplantation Society, and the pharmaceutical company Takeda.
In 2024, Belgium saw 1,082 transplants involving organs such as kidneys, livers, or lungs from deceased donors, according to Eurotransplant, a coalition of eight European countries.
While more patients in the country are surviving transplants, many face a long road to recovery and a return to quality of life. Good post-operative care is crucial for long-term success, emphasised by Transplantoux and Takeda.
Minimising post-transplantation complications and maximising transplant success involves a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, according to the organisations. It requires a dedicated team of specialists including doctors, nurses, psychologists, and dietitians to support both patients and their families through the recovery process.
The organisations are calling for greater efforts to address post-transplant care in the country, amid a reported rise in the number of transplants in Belgium. According to the Ministry of Public Health, the number of transplants increased by 8.5% compared to 2023.
