Nicosia:European University Cyprus: A new publication led by Assistant Professor Andreas Kousios from the School of Medicine at European University Cyprus highlights significant disparities in access to living donor kidney transplantation across Europe and outlines priorities to improve equity in transplantation.

According to Cyprus News Agency, the study, published in Transplant International, gathers experts from across Europe to explore differences in living donor transplantation. It examines inequalities related to geography, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity, along with variations in donor assessment, informed consent, long-term follow-up, and access to kidney exchange programs.

The research points out that over 500,000 individuals in Europe require dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive, yet access to living donor transplantation is inconsistent and heavily influenced by patients' locations. The study emphasizes the necessity for equitable access to this life-saving treatment.

Priorities identified for the future include standardizing donor assessments, expanding national and cross-border kidney exchange programs, enhancing communication of donor risks, ensuring robust long-term donor follow-up, and better integrating European transplant data.

The research originated from a pan-European symposium organized by the European Kidney Transplant Association (EKITA) in collaboration with the DESCARTES Working Group of the European Renal Association. EKITA has prioritized the promotion of living donor kidney transplantation for 2026-2027.