Organ donation in China ranks No 1 in Asia

About 88 percent of all organs used for transplant surgeries in China last year were donated by people after death, while the rest were donated by living relatives of patients who received organs, according to a report released by the National Health Commission on Oct 9.

China intensified efforts to promote organ donation in 2010, and since 2015 only voluntary donations made by people after death and by patients' living relatives have been allowed for transplant surgeries, the report said.

By the end of last year, 106 organ procurement organizations had been set up in China, and 169 medical institutions had gained qualification to conduct organ transplant surgeries. More than 18,000 people donated organs after death by the end of last year, with more than 52,000 organs donated, the report said.

Last year alone, 6,302 people in China donated organs after death, and 20,201 transplant surgeries were performed, both ranking first in Asia and second in the world, the report said.