Transplantation of organs is legal in Thailand?

[steven23]

Can foreigner apply for waiting lists in Thailand transplantation center or this possibility is reserved exclusively for Thai nationalities and residents?

[Singerman]

I do not know the answer to your question.

However, it would be very difficult for a Caucasian to find a matching donor from within an overwhelmingly Asian population.

The same problem is experienced by minority population groups in the West.

[Sheryl]

AFAIK there is no limitation as to nationality but:

(1) the wait for organs is very long - for example, about 3,000 are on the waiting list for kidneys alone and only around 250 transplants are done yearly

(2) it will indeed prove harder to find a tissue match

(3) if the transplant is one that can come from a living donor (e.g. kidney, liver), Thai law limits this to blood relations and spouses

[steven23]

I was referring to this kind of operation ( transplantation of artificial heart) Siriraj hospital

[Singerman]

I was referring to this kind of operation ( transplantation of artificial heart) Siriraj hospital

Nothing new about LVAD's

I am sure that such a device would be available to a Westerner. The cost would be monumental and pre approval would need to be sought from the insurance company.

More info here

http://heartmateii.com/choosing-heartmate-ii.aspx

Edited December 28, 2015 by Singerman

[Sheryl]

I was referring to this kind of operation ( transplantation of artificial heart) Siriraj hospital

This is not, in fact, a transplant. It is insertion of an artificial device that assists the heart in pumping.

There will not be any restriction as to nationality but it is not widely available. Aside from Siriraj, I think Bangkok Hospital (Bangkok Heart Hospital) can do it. Cost will indeed be extremely high, and clinical criteria for it are quite specific.

[uhuh]

It was not what the OP wanted to know but anyway here is the answer to the question "can foreigners get a transplant? "

They cannot, as the Medical Council does not agree with foreigners getting a transplant.

[Singerman]

It was not what the OP wanted to know but anyway here is the answer to the question "can foreigners get a transplant? "

They cannot, as the Medical Council does not agree with foreigners getting a transplant.

Where can that Medical Council statement be found ? (does it exist? )

[steven23]

I was referring to this kind of operation ( transplantation of artificial heart) Siriraj hospital

This is not, in fact, a transplant. It is insertion of an artificial device that assists the heart in pumping.

There will not be any restriction as to nationality but it is not widely available. Aside from Siriraj, I think Bangkok Hospital (Bangkok Heart Hospital) can do it. Cost will indeed be extremely high, and clinical criteria for it are quite specific.

because there is no match in West countries, not all people who live in west are white caucasians, and if he comes to have that operation here, maybe waiting for organs is allowed here?

[Sheryl]

"match" is not an issue for implantation of an artificial device, which turns out to be what he is talking about. He is not talking about organ transplant.

[Sheryl]

It was not what the OP wanted to know but anyway here is the answer to the question "can foreigners get a transplant? "

They cannot, as the Medical Council does not agree with foreigners getting a transplant.

I am not aware of any such policy. As previously stated, it is not legal to obtain an organ from a living donor who is not a blood relation or spouse, but if for example a foreigner has a family member willing to donate a kidney, there is no regulation preventing them from having the procedure performed in Thailand. However, due to past abuses, they will have to provide sufficient proof of their familial relationship.

[steven23]

"match" is not an issue for implantation of an artificial device, which turns out to be what he is talking about. He is not talking about organ transplant.

Dear Sharyl, taking artificial heart will give him time to live more, however it is not permanent solution! he needs a transplant so I was wondering maybe he can wait in Thailand also, but if it is not allowed so I will not recommend trip from Europe to Thailand just for artificial heart, however if it is possible, and according to regulation that foreigner can be on thai waiting list, that would be great

otherwise only possible option would be iran, they are only one that aloud to foreigners,

[Sheryl]

The waiting lists in Thailand are extremely long, so even if allowed -- and I am doubtful given that he does not live in Thailand -- there would be no advantage, he would get a heart far sooner in Europe than here.

As for the LVAD, it can be done here but would be extremely expensive, if he has access to free or subsidized health care at home then far better there. Also, if he is sick enough to require one it is questionable whether it is safe for him to fly.

[uhuh]

It was not what the OP wanted to know but anyway here is the answer to the question "can foreigners get a transplant? "

They cannot, as the Medical Council does not agree with foreigners getting a transplant.

I am not aware of any such policy. As previously stated, it is not legal to obtain an organ from a living donor who is not a blood relation or spouse, but if for example a foreigner has a family member willing to donate a kidney, there is no regulation preventing them from having the procedure performed in Thailand. However, due to past abuses, they will have to provide sufficient proof of their familial relationship.

Maybe it is not a "regulation" but a recommendation of the Medical Council is very much followed by doctors.

The reasons being the past abuses you mention.