NI risks being ‘left behind’ on organ donation, warns family of little Daithi

The family of Daithi Mac Gabhann, who was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and has already undergone a number of major surgeries, were due to meet with Northern Ireland health minister Robin Swann in March as part of their campaign for a ‘soft opt-out’ organ donation system.

While the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of that meeting, the Mac Gabhann family have continued their campaign for the laws to be updated.

On Wednesday, an ‘opt-out’ system was introduced in England.

Such a system, where those who do not wish to donate organs are required to register rather than those who do, is already in place in Wales.

Scotland are due to implement an opt-out system later this year, meaning Northern Ireland will soon be the only part of the UK relying on organ donors choosing to opt in.

Speaking to the News Letter, Daithi’s father Mairtin said: “Before the government was restored here, we went to all 11 councils in Northern Ireland asking for their support and every single council agreed to write to the Department of Health.

“We have had support from all the main parties, with the exception of the DUP who have said they will look at the evidence. But we know there are many people in the DUP who support us, so we would be very confident that if it goes before the Assembly it would pass.”

He added: “We know it is happening all over the UK already so we are in danger of being left behind here. We can’t wait ten years.”