Scottish Government appeal to black, Asian and minority ethnic communities to donate
The Scottish Government is encouraging the black, Asian and minority ethnic communities to consider organ donation. Only one per cent of Scots on the NHS Organ Donor Register are from the BME communities, but around 8% of people on the organ donation waiting list are from that group.
Nearly 400 people from black, asian and minority ethnic communities in Scotland have signed the NHS Organ Donor Register over the last year, as part of a drive funded by the Scottish Government.
The initiative, run by Kidney Research UK, was set up last year to address the chronic shortage of organ donors from these communities and the Scottish Government has announced it will commit £22,000 to fund the project for another year.
Kidney Research UK have recruited peer-educators to speak to people about organ donation in locations such as Gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship) , Mandirs (Hindu temples) and the annual Mela festivals in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
It is also working with the Muslim community through engagement with the Muslim Council of Scotland.
On Sunday, the team was present at the Glasgow Mela in Kelvingrove Park to talk to people about organ donation and encourage them to consider becoming an organ donor.
Over 2 million people in Scotland have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register, but only around 2000 people are from black, asian and minority ethnic communities.
Kidney failure is up to five times more common in people from black, asian and minority ethnic communities, with South Asian people with diabetes ten times more likely to suffer from kidney failure than white people.
Public Health Minister, Maureen Watt, said: “In Scotland, as in the rest of the UK, the shortage of donors from black, asian and minority ethnic communities is a real issue, so it’s vital we continue to engage with people to explore the beliefs that can act as a barrier to donation.
“The peer educator programme has so far been extremely successful, but we want to go further and train up more peer educators to talk to communities about organ donation.
“Just over one per cent of Scots on the NHS Organ Donor Register are from black, asian and minority ethnic communities, but this group account for nearly 8 per cent of people waiting on a transplant. Crucially, there is a much greater success rate when transplants are carried out within the same ethnic group.
“Of course, it’s an individual choice, but we want to ensure people have the right information to make an informed decision and that’s why education and projects like this are vitally important.”
Kidney Research UK’s Peer Educators have been trained to talk to their communities about kidney health and the risk of kidney disease, working closely with individuals, families, community groups and faith groups.
They offer practical help and advice, explaining the reasons for the increased risk and suggesting lifestyle changes that could help to prevent disease.
They also challenge some of the myths surrounding organ donation, and highlight the shortage of compatible donors in their communities.
Neerja Jain, Kidney Research UK’s Health Improvement Project Manager, said: “The passion of our Peer Educators is really helping to move this work forward considerably. Their amazing drive, enthusiasm and physical and mental energy is truly amazing. As volunteers, what they do, is really making a difference.”
Further information on BAME organ donation and transplantation is available at www.organdonationscotland.org
