China's organ donors may get tax and medical perks

The Chinese government is considering offering financial incentives, including tax rebates, to people to donate organs, as the country tries to tackle the problem of demand for transplants outstripping supply.

China banned organ transplants from living donors, except spouses, blood relatives, adopted family members and step- children, in 2007, and launched a national system to co-ordinate donations after death in 2009. But an organ shortage has driven a trade in illegal trafficking.

State news agency Xinhua quoted health minister Huang Jiefu as saying that local authorities should "cut back medical costs for donors during their hospital stay and their funeral expenses".

He added: "Other financial compensation could also be considered, such as tax rebates, medical insurance or tuition waivers for donors' family members."

Nearly one and a half million people in China need organ transplants each year, but only 10,000 can get one, says the health ministry. Many organs for transplant are still harvested from executed criminals.