Organ Donation & Transplant: Chinese delegation presents latest findings, changes to practice at global gathering

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02:49

Specialists in organ transplantation from around the world have gathered in Madrid for a week of technical meetings. They're attending the 27th International Congress of the Transplantation Society, which got underway earlier this week. China's delegation is also on hand, represented by 150 delegates, with 50 of them presenting papers on their latest findings. Al Goodman reports from the Spanish capital.

The 27th International Congress of the Transplantation Society in Madrid held every two years for specialists who carry out potentially life-saving transplants of hearts, lungs, kidneys and livers. Some 2800 participants here from 90 countries, organizers say. A majority are surgeons, joined by other health care workers, researchers, students and industry representatives.

AL GOODMAN MADRID, SPAIN "The transplantation congress gives professionals a chance to catch up on the latest advances in this field and exchange information, in a protected environment. There are sharp restrictions on filming inside the congress hall, not just by the media, but also by the professionals themselves."

Organizers say that's because much of the information inside is confidential. Various delegates told CGTN that key topics include advances in keeping donated organs healthy until surgery, and improvements in post-surgical recovery.

But we were able to film away from the congress, at a press conference in Madrid of Chinese and international transplant specialists, discussing China's various reforms.

HUANG JIEFU DIRECTOR, CHINA TRANSPLANTATION COMMITTEE "China used to be a hotspot for organ transplantation tourism. Many foreigners came to China for transplant, using the organ from the death penalties organs. It is illegal now."

He's led China's overhaul of the transplantation sector, seeking to halt various abuses.

HUANG JIEFU DIRECTOR, CHINA TRANSPLANTATION COMMITTEE "It's an old picture. Now, there's a new picture."

But a group called the China Organ Harvest Research Center still alleges abuses in China's transplants, despite official claims of reform.

Yet this American surgeon, who now heads a World Health Organization Task Force on transplants, disputes the critics.

FRANCIS L. DELMONICO CHAIR, WHO TASK FORCE "I would say to those who are making these claims: Our colleagues in China have been quite proper in making a transparency. It is a component of China's reform."

And the head of China's Organ Transplant Response System, says growth of well-supervised organ donations and transplant surgery will continue.

WANG HAIBO DIRECTOR, CHINA ORGAN TRANSPLANT RESPONSE SYSTEM RESEARCH CENTER "China is doing the right thing, consistent with WHO guiding principles, to promote organ donation to save people's lives."

Other international experts on hand also backed up the transplant work of their Chinese colleagues. Al Goodman, CGTN, Madrid.