With over 600 applicants in Alberta still awaiting a transplant, Alberta is asking the NWT for help.
Northwest Territories residents can now voluntarily join the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry to increase the number of donors and improve the chances of a match for those waiting.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is responsible for paying for the adapted registry, including a $100,000 modification fee and an annual $40,000 maintenance fee.
Due to a lack of medical availability and resources in the Northwest Territories, residents who pass away in the territory are unable to donate their organs and tissues.
Now NWT residents will be able to donate and receive donations, as long as they are in an Alberta hospital with access to transplant services at the time of death.
After submitting the Organ and Tissue Donation Consent Form, volunteers 16 years of age or older, will be added to an Organ and Tissue Donation Registry.
NWT residents may send a copy of their consent form by email to the territorial government, drop off the form at their local health center, or by mail.
“Providing NWT residents with the option to register their consent for organ and tissue donation is a long-standing commitment of our government that is now possible through this agreement with Alberta,” says Diane Thom, minister of Health and Social services.
Both the Alberta and the NWT governments say they will protect residents’ personal information.
