IMPROVEMENT OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL MECHANISM FOR MANAGING PROCEDURES OF POSTHUMOUS DONATION WITHIN THE SYSTEM OF STATE HEALTH POLICY

Abstract

The study examines the possibilities for improving the organizational mechanism for managing posthumous donation procedures in Ukraine, with a focus on the regional dimension. It has been established that despite a gradual increase in the number of transplantations in Ukraine (in particular, more than 650 operations in 2025), the system of posthumous donation remains insufficiently effective due to both institutional and socio-psychological factors. It has been found that regions such as Poltava oblast demonstrate low levels of development in posthumous donation: they have a limited number of donation cases and a critically small share of individuals who have given prior consent (only a few persons as of 2025), which indicates the insufficient effectiveness of information policy and public engagement mechanisms. At the same time, there is an objective need for transplantation in the region, as more than one hundred patients are on the waiting list. Based on the analysis, the key barriers to system development include the institution of presumed refusal (opt-in system), a low level of public trust, insufficient training of medical personnel in public communication with relatives of potential donors, and a limited number of specialized transplantation centers. At the same time, a positive trend is the gradual development of infrastructure, including the introduction of transplant coordination, the implementation of multi-organ procurement, and the improvement of medical professionals’ qualifications. It is substantiated that improving the organizational management mechanism requires a comprehensive approach, including the enhancement of the regulatory and legal framework, the development of regional transplantation centers, the digitalization of donor registries, the intensification of information and awareness campaigns, and the professional development of transplant coordinators. It is concluded that the effective integration of public administration, medical infrastructure, and societal support is a key factor in increasing the level of posthumous donation both in Poltava oblast and in Ukraine as a whole.