The number of people in Tayside offering to donate their potentially life-saving organs to help those requiring liver, kidney or heart transplants has reached a record high.
According to NHS Tayside, almost half of the region’s population (42%) have now signed up to the Organ Donor Register.
The health board says the rise of 12,600 people (8%) compared to last year’s figure means almost 170,000 out of the overall Tayside population of 402,600 are on the register.
The latest figure shows Tayside’s contribution is well above the national average and is the second highest percentage of sign-ups in the country.
It is the equivalent of 169,300 people out of the total Tayside population and comes just days after it was announced by the Scottish Government that the number of people on the NHS Organ Donor Register in Scotland has reached a record high of more than two million.
NHS Tayside lead clinician for organ donation Dr Stephen Cole said the figures are ”hugely encouraging and demonstrate people in Tayside’s commitment to offering the gift of life to someone in need.”
He added: ”It is easy to forget just how many people are waiting on life-saving transplants and how signing up to the organ donor register can help to save someone else once you are gone.
”Signing up to the organ donor register can truly transform people’s lives and I would encourage everyone to take two minutes and join today.”
The figures show that as of March 31, 38.8% of the Scottish population have signed up. The NHS says more than 9,000 people in the UK need an organ transplant that could save or dramatically improve their life.
One donor can save or transform up to nine lives and many more can be helped through the donation of tissues.
Anyone over 12 can join the register by visiting organdonation.nhs.uk or by calling 0300 123 23 23. You can also text LIFE to 61611.
Photo by Clive Gee/PA Wire