Organ and tissue transplant strategy sought by Tory MLA

A New Brunswick Tory MLA is hoping his private members' bill calling on the Department of Health to devise an organ and tissue donation strategy will soon pass.

Victoria-Tobique MLA Wes McLean says he tabled the bill at the end of March after being inspired by people whose lives were saved by transplants.

"The question from me was what can I do as just one backbench MLA," McLean said. "And the answer I was getting was, 'Increase awareness.' So that led to the drafting of this bill, with increased public awareness in mind."

If it becomes law, the Department of Health would create a strategy after consulting with Canadian Blood Services, the Canadian Transplant Association and the New Brunswick Medical Society.

And more information on organ and tissue donation would have to be made available in schools and hospitals.

A recent study by the Canadian Institute for Health Information found the rate of deceased organ donors has risen 17 per cent in the last decade.

However, the study also found there was still a large gap between the number of donors and patients needing organs.

The federal government says more than 4,500 people across the country are waiting for a transplant, but only a fraction of Canadians are registered to donate.