The Waiting List: between life, death and despair / Binocle

in Kazakhstan in 2021 and 2022 there were only 4 deceased donors each. They saved 25 lives. Experts say that this number could be at least 10 times higher. Currently, there are 3,532 people on the waiting list, 67 of them are children. In 2021 and the first 10 months of 2022, 558 patients on the deceased-donor waiting list died.
"The Waiting List" is a story about people who live for years waiting for an organ donor. Each story is not only about a person on the waiting list, but their entire families. Every one of them deserves a chance at life. Therefore, it is necessary to spread the word about organ donation and people on the waiting list.
The study conducted during the filming by The Center for Social and Political Research "Strategy" Public Foundation, showed that raising awareness strongly affects the attitudes towards posthumous donation. Just after a lecture by a healthcare professional, the number of people who responded "I strongly disagree" was almost 4 times less.
Any citizen of Kazakhstan aged 18+ within their lifetime has a right to decide whether they wish to donate or not donate their organs after their deaths. They can express their will through a clinic or egov.kz portal. A person can change their mind at any time. In any case, doctors are required to obtain the consent of the next of kin of the deceased in order to transplant their organs to other patients. Doing it without their written consent is prohibited by the law. In Kazakhstan only those aged 18+ and are declared brain-dead by a council of doctors, can become posthumous donors. Usually, these are people who sustained a head injury incompatible with life - due to a traffic accident, a massive stroke, or due to other incidents.
Directed by:
Kana Beisekeyev
Co-author, Binocle producer:
Kairat Nurmugambetov
Co-author, journalist:
Oksana Akulova
Producer:
Aliya Sandybay
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With the participation of:
Zhanibek Uspanov
Nazgul Zhakupbekova, her sons Muhammed and Mustafa
Adilkhan Zhumabayev
Igor Vorotnikov
Anar Shaimergenova
Baurzhan Aryngazinov
Madina Zhaksybayeva
Munira Bekmagambetova
Botagoz Kaukenova
Saule Shaisultanova
Kairat Nurmugambetov
Kana Beisekeyev
Oksana Akulova
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DP:
Kana Beisekeyev
Sound:
Maksat Abitayev
Assistants:
Berke Shamshiden
Arman Uzakbayev
Editing:
Kana Beisekeyev
Kairat Nurmugambetov
Color-grading:
Aidos Zhumurov
Design:
Dimasso x Alimograph
Sound editing:
Dias Bektayev
Subtitles:
Saniya Oshakbayeva
Assem Sarysheva
Botagoz Kaukenova’s speech coach:
Olga Kaplina
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The project was funded by the Soros Foundation Kazakhstan. The opinions expressed by the authors may differ from the views of the Soros Foundation Kazakhstan. The authors and participants are responsible for the facts, information, judgments and conclusions expressed in this material.
The study within this project was conducted by The Center for Social and Political Research "Strategy" Public Foundation. We express our personal gratitude to the President of the Foundation Gulmira Ileuova.
We would like to express our gratitude to the National Scientific Cardiosurgical Center, Taldykorgan Multidisciplinary Hospital and Artishock Theater for their help during filming.