The Ministry for Health and Active Ageing has launched a public consultation process on organ donation after cardiac/circulatory death. This was announced by the Minister for Health and Active Ageing, Jo Etienne Abela, during a press conference on Saturday.

Although over the years donors after brain/neurological death have saved many lives, the proposed legal amendments could lead to an increase of 40-50 per cent in transplants.

Abela stated that it is the duty of a progressive government to promote the value and quality of life in various ways and dimensions. He noted that, in order to ensure that any organs capable of saving lives are available, legislative intervention is required to provide greater possibilities for organs and tissues.

"With this change we can strengthen organ donation with a significant increase in the rate of transplants that give new life," Dr Abela emphasised.

Dr Abela explained that, for this to occur, legislative amendments are required to Article 12(1) of the principal act, through which the donation of dead organs, tissues, or cells is to be considered in persons certified dead using neurological or circulatory criteria by a physician. The purpose of this bill is to broaden the circumstances in which the donation of human organs, tissues, and cells may take place after neurological and circulatory death.

Minister Abela thanked PN MP Ivan Bartolo, the Archbishop of Malta Charles J. Scicluna, and the Bishop of Gozo Anton Teuma, who collaborated with the Ministry so that this public consultation could be launched today.

"This is a demonstration of solidarity and unity in which, when a patient's health is involved, we are witnessing both political parties and the Church working together toward a single aim. This is political maturity that can be transformative. I encourage everyone to participate so that together we can truly make a difference in people's lives," Dr Abela concluded.

The consultation is open until 5 February 2026.