The Organ and Tissue Authority has entered a new kidney exchange program with its New Zealand counterpart.
Minister responsible for the Authority, Mark Coulton launched the Australian and New Zealand Paired Kidney Exchange (ANZKX) Program saying the aim was to improve the lives of Australians and New Zealanders by increasing access to life-saving kidney transplants.
“Bringing the Australian and New Zealand paired kidney exchange programs together, increases the chance of finding matches for people who have a relative or friend who is willing to donate, but unable to do so because their blood or tissue type is not compatible,” Mr Coulton said.
“Living donation is an option for people needing a kidney transplant, but not everyone can become a living kidney donor, as around 30 per cent of people willing to donate are not compatible with their relative or friend.”
He said expanding the number of pairs enrolled in the ANZKX Program increased the chance of finding a match with another incompatible pair.
Mr Coulton said the majority of people enrolled in the ANZKX Program were highly sensitised patients, meaning they were harder to match and had greater difficulties in receiving a kidney transplant from a deceased donor.
“This new partnership will bring hope to people on the waiting list for a lifesaving kidney donation by increasing the number of donors that could be a potential match,” he said.
“The first kidney transplants under the new joint program will occur over the next few months with matched patients receiving their much-needed kidneys.”
