National organ-donor plan in works
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Canada should establish a national organ-donation goal, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health says. This country, with a current donors-per-million-population (DPMP) rate of 14, lags far behind the world leader, Spain, which has a DPMP of 31. The committee also wants Canada to have a coordinated and comprehensive donation and transplantation strategy, which would be directed by a newly created council. It also agreed that it will not be easy to convince more Canadians to sign donor cards. "Governments should recognize the critical role of social attitudes in increasing organ donation and share the costs of a collaborative ongoing social-marketing strategy that crosses all societal groups to assist individuals in making personal decisions about organ and tissue donation."

Federal Health Minister Allan Rock described organ-related decisions as "very personal. As governments, our role is to create a comprehensive system that enables Canadians to make their wishes known and ensures that those in need can benefit from the donations that are made." More information is available at [www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/archives/releases/99picebk5.htm](http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/archives/releases/99picebk5.htm).