title: Kidney transplantation: ethical challenges in the Arab world.
abstract: There is a wide gap between organ supply and demand, which results in a very long waiting time for kidney transplantation and an increasing number of deaths of the patients while on the waiting list. These events have raised many ethical, moral and societal issues regarding organ donation, allocation and use of living donors through exploitation of the poor for the benefit of the wealthy. Success in the implementation of kidney transplantation programs in a country depends on various factors including the economic situation, religious approval, public views, medical expertise and existing legislation. The public attitude toward donation is pivotal in all transplantation programs; increasing the awareness of the leaders of religion is vital in this regard.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chamsi-Pasha
authors.forename: Mohammed Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Albar
mesh_terms: D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology; D035881:Compensation and Redress; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000941:ethics; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006293:Health Promotion; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics*; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D019520:Living Donors / Q000941:ethics; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology; D009042:Motivation; D011639:Public Opinion; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000941:ethics* / Q000523:psychology / Q000600:supply & distribution; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics*; D014850:Waiting Lists / Q000401:mortality