Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balaeva announced on her social media page that she consents to posthumous organ donation. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
According to her, 4,739 people are on the transplant waiting list in Kazakhstan. "These are 4,739 fragile hopes, aching hearts, and anxious eyes," Balaeva wrote.
In Kazakhstan, about 90% of transplants are performed with living related donors. The share of posthumous donation does not even reach 10%.
She noted that being a donor or not is a personal choice for everyone, and no one can be forced into such a decision. "In my opinion, the most important thing in this topic is to understand the situation of both sides. On one side are people waiting for organs and not losing hope for life; on the other side is a family that has lost their closest person and is experiencing irreparable grief. Therefore, the delicate line between these two situations must always be maintained. There should be no pressure or condemnation here. Only respect for each person's choice and each family's decision is necessary," she emphasized.
"And now as for myself... If one day my loved ones face the same choice, then, without a doubt, I would want them to understand the importance of helping people who want to return to life. I responsibly declare that I give consent to donate my organs. Because one person's decision can give another person the opportunity to live," Balaeva added.
She noted that every kind step aimed at saving a human life is of great importance.