Public Consultation On Organ Donation After Cardiac Or Circulatory Death

A public consultation on organ donation after cardiac or circulatory death has been launched by the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing, announced by Minister Jo Etienne Abela.

The initiative aims to increase the availability of organs and tissues for transplantation, potentially raising transplant rates by 40 to 50%.

Minister Jo Etienne Abela emphasised that a progressive government has a duty to promote the value and quality of life. He explained that legislative changes are necessary to ensure that organs which could save lives are accessible.

The proposed amendments to Article 12(1) of the principal act would allow the donation of organs, tissues or cells from individuals certified as deceased using neurological or circulatory criteria.

The aim is to expand the circumstances in which organ donation can take place, ultimately saving more lives.

“With this change we can give a significant boost to organ donation, resulting in a notable increase in transplants that give new life,” Jo Etienne Abela stated.

He also thanked Honourable Ivan Bartolo, Archbishop Charles J Scicluna and Bishop Anton Teuma of Gozo for their collaboration, highlighting the joint effort of political parties and the Church to improve patient health.

The public consultation is open until 5 February 2026 and can be accessed at https://www.gov.mt/en/publicconsultation/Pages/2025/L-0027-2025.aspx.

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