An ongoing commitment to organ and tissue procurement and transplantation, and to patient safety

The Agence de la biomédecine, aware of what is at stake in each transplant, salutes the daily commitment of healthcare teams and patient associations in 2020, to continue caring for donor families, patients waiting for transplants and transplant patients in the context of the pandemic.

Since March 2020, the Agence de la biomédecine has been monitoring organ and tissue identification, procurement and transplantation activities on a daily basis throughout France. It supports healthcare professionals in the field whenever necessary. It works with learned societies and patient associations to issue recommendations designed to guide practices and organizations. The Agency is committed to continuing organ and tissue procurement and transplantation activities, while ensuring patient safety.

In 2020, 4417 transplants were possible thanks to 1355 deceased donors and 400 living donors, and to the daily work of the hospital staff involved, under difficult conditions. Compared with 2019, there was a 25% drop in the total number of transplants in France. The drop in activity was less marked for organs for which there is no replacement therapy: the heart saw a decline of around 13%. The drop for liver was 17%, and -26% for lung, while it was more marked for organs for which replacement therapy is available, including kidney (-29%) and pancreas (-60%). Transplants from living donors fell by 24%.