Purpose

The government of China has responded to allegations that China has been harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience in extrajudicial killings on a large scale by claiming that it has reduced and eventually stopped using organs from illicit sources in 2015. This report evaluates these claims and examines the development of organ transplantation in China since 2006.

Method

We individually analyzed the 169 transplant hospitals approved by the Ministry of Health regarding bed counts, utilization rates, expansion projects, revenues, personnel, and funding. We also conducted a qualitative analysis of national strategic plans, the Ministry approval system, official statements, and third-party on-site investigations of transplant hospitals.

Results

After the allegations surfaced, the government acknowledged the sourcing of organs from death-row prisoners and issued permits to 169 transplant centers, creating the illusion that most of the 1,000 transplant hospitals stopped performing transplants after July 1, 2007.

Large, approved institutions achieved even greater development with decreased competition and full government support. Many non-permitted hospitals did not stop performing transplants.

Medical teams were routinely overwhelmed by organ procurement and conducting transplants around the clock. One hospital trained all its general surgeons to conduct transplants independently. Many transplant centers had bed utilization rates between 100% and 200%. Transplant centers underwent significant expansion with more beds and new wards, wings, buildings, and even campuses.

However, the increased capacity still could not meet demand. China's transplant chief, Huang Jiefu, attributed the limiting factor not to organ availability but rather a lack of qualified hospitals and experienced doctors. He repeatedly expressed the desire to increase the number of qualified transplant hospitals from 169 to 300 and even 500. He also promoted making organs in China available to external markets with the “cheapest cost, most accessibility, and high quality.” Huang estimated that China will perform 50% more transplants in 2017 than before.

An investigation in June 2017 found that Tianjin Central Hospital still conducts transplants at full capacity.

Conclusion

China's organ transplantation system has continued to grow steadily after 2006.

CITATION INFORMATION: Yin G., Li D., Li M., Fu M. Organ Transplant Abuse in China (2): Continued Growth after Gaining International Attention Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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