Many say yes, but few donors
By Lydia Gomez
legomez@nst.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: The number of pledges for organ donation may be increasing, but only a handful are honoured after the donor dies.
As of last month, the number of pledges had reached 151,567. But in many cases, family members, who did not know that the deceased had signed up as a donor, would object to the pledge, said Organ Donation Awareness Promotion Action Committee chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
He said those who pledged their organs must make sure that they carried their donor cards at all times and informed family members of their intention.
"If we compare the number of pledges and those who actually donate, the situation is actually quite chronic," he said.
"Family encouragement is also important. When the father or mother decides to donate their son's organs, for example, it can give the hope of life to another person. Parents and the public should think about it."
Lee announced a year-long campaign to promote organ donation which would target those between 15 and 25 years old in Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Kedah and Sarawak.
This followed last year's campaign which drew the most number of pledges from those aged between 21 and 30.
The campaign will include road shows and seminars on organ donations, particularly for secondary and tertiary students.
"Every year, there are 6,000 to 7,000 deaths from road accidents. If one or two per cent of them signed up as donors, it would help relieve the situation greatly," he said.
Chief National Transplant (donor) procurement manager Datin Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor said around 11,000 names were on the waiting list for organs and the number is increasing every year.
"About 4,000 new cases of end-stage kidney failure are diagnosed every year. If a person has pledged to donate but the family objects, doctors cannot remove the organs."
Dr Lela said less than 20 per cent of those who signed up carried their cards.
"Last year, there were 38 donors and only four to five of them carried their cards.
"But in some cases, families initiate donation even though the deceased has not pledged because they feel it is something the deceased would have wanted," she said.
