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Malta

Legislation Malta

In Malta, the following laws govern all aspects of cornea donation and cornea banking:

  • MT: Human Blood and Transplants Act (Chapter 483 of the Laws of Malta) MT: Human Blood and Transplants (Fees) Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 483.09 of the Laws of Malta)
  • MT: Traceability Requirements and Notification of Serious Adverse Reactions and Events Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 483.03 of the Laws of Malta)
  • MT: Equivalent Standards of Quality and Safety of Imported Tissues and Cells Regulations (S.L. 483.08 of the Laws of Malta)
  • MT: Human Tissues and Cells (Coding, Processing, Preservation, Storage and Distribution) Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 483.04 of the Laws of Malta)
  • MT: Human Organs, Tissues and Cell Donation Act (Chapter 558 of the Laws of Malta)

 

Donation:

  • Organ and tissue donation is an opt-in system, and signed consent from next of kin is required.
  • Currently only whole eye enucleation is performed, however in-situ excision of corneas will be introduced in the near future.

 

Cornea banking:

  • MALTA - National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS)-Eye Bank is the only licensed establishment in Malta for donation, procurement, testing, processing, storage and distribution of corneas.
  • License is granted by the Licensing Authority – Department of Health Regulation Malta.
  • Currently, hypothermic storage is used for all cornea donations in Malta.

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