2023 Annual figures: slightly more transplants and shorter waiting times

In 2023, more people donated organs after death compared to last year, and a total of 1,417 patients were helped with an organ transplant.

In 2023, 292 people donated their organs for transplantation after death, an increase of 2.5% compared to 2022. In addition, 533 people donated an organ during their lifetime. A total of 1,417 patients were helped with an organ transplant. The Dutch Transplant Foundation (NTS) notes that sick patients have to wait less long for a donor organ.

Director Naomi Nathan: 'We see that more patients can get a place on the waiting list without the waiting time increasing. And that is good news, because this means more patients can be helped with a life-saving organ transplant.'

For example, the (median) waiting time for kidney patients on the active waiting list decreased from 29 months in 2022 to 27 months in 2023. The waiting time for other organs also decreased between 2022 and 2023. Seriously ill patients thus gain perspective sooner. Although the waiting time for all organs decreased, some patients still wait a long time, for example because they have a rare blood type.

Waiting list: shorter or longer?

The waiting time is therefore becoming slightly shorter, but the waiting lists are not decreasing for all organs despite more transplants. This is caused, for example, by more and earlier inflow of patients onto those waiting lists. When a waiting list decreases, doctors may decide to broaden the national criteria for a waiting list. This allows patients with other conditions to become eligible for transplantation, or patients to be placed on the waiting list faster. Nathan: 'Patients now have a better chance of getting a donor organ, or get onto the waiting list faster than before, meaning they are seriously ill for a shorter time. And *that* is what it's all about. We are immensely grateful to all donors and surviving relatives.'

On the waiting list for a donor organ: what plays a role?

Living donation

In 2023, 533 people gave an organ during their lifetime: 504 times a kidney and 29 times a piece of their liver. In a liver donation from a living donor, a child (0-15 years) is often the recipient (21 out of the 29 recipients in 2023). In living donation, the donor is often a family member.

Tissue donation: thousands helped

In 2023, 2,543 people donated one or more tissues after death. Tissue transplantation ensures a strong improvement in the quality of life. For example, donor skin is used for burns and other wounds that are difficult to heal. A heart valve may be necessary for babies with a heart defect or for adults who urgently need a new heart valve. A heart valve ensures that blood flows in the right direction in the heart.

A corneal transplant took place 1,947 times. This is a small increase compared to 2022 (1,909 times). A heart valve transplant took place 128 times in 2023. With bone tissue and skin tissue, a single donor can help multiple recipients. These transplants took place frequently. The waiting lists for tissue are stable; supply and demand are in balance.