One year to go for new organ donor system; half of Dutch still not registered

Exactly one year before the implementation of the new organ donor system - in which those who do not explicitly object to donating their organs after death are automatically registered as a donor - half of Dutch adults are not yet registered on the donor system. Of those who are registered, the lion's share indicated that they do not want to be an organ donor, RTL Nieuws reports.

The automatic donor registration system will be implemented on July 1st, 2020. The law that manages the new system passed through the Dutch Senate by the smallest possible majority last year, after passing through parliament with a one-vote majority in 2016.

The new law basically states that adult residents of the Netherlands will be automatically registered as an organ donor, unless they explicitly object. Instead of the current method in which Dutch are registered as non-donors unless they indicate that they want to donate their organs after they die. Under the new law, if a person does not respond to two prompts to register as a donor or a non-donor - sent automatically to all Dutch when they turn 18 - they will be registered as a donor. Though their next of kin can still object after the person dies.

Since the system was passed by the Senate, more people have registered with the donor bank than in previous years, but at this rate it will take at least another 25 years for every adult in the Netherlands to register, according to RTL. The government is therefore launching a campaign to draw attention to the donor register. Door-to-door flyers, and the radio and television spots will call on Dutch to register their choice to be an organ donor or non-donor by July 1st next year.