Organ Donation Among Malaysians Still Low, Says Health Minister

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 18 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry on Tuesday launched the www.dermaorgan.gov.my website to create greater awareness among Malaysians on the importance of pledging their organs for donation upon their death. Its minister Dr S. Subramaniam said that up to Aug 31, 2013, the recorded number of those who pledged their organs was still low as only 233,573 people or 0.81 per cent of the country's population did so. He said public awareness on organ donation was vital as the number of Malaysian patients still waiting for organ transplantation stood at 16,945 as at Aug 31, this year and most of them had kidney problems. "During the same period, the number of cadaveric tissue donors (deceased) was also small at only 432. Overall, the number of patients requiring donated organs far outnumber the donors. "Therefore, the ministry has drawn up the Organ Donation Strategic Awareness Plan," he added after launching the website at the ministry's headquarters, here. Dr Subramaniam said the awareness campaign through the new media, using the website launched Tuesday was among the actions taken by the ministry under the strategic plan. It would serve as a one-stop centre to gather all information on organ donation. "The ministry has obtained approval from the secretary-general of the Treasury, Finance Ministry, for exemption from any treatment charges at the government hospitals for deceased organ donors. "This means the organ donors' family members need not pay for the hospital charges after the donation had been done," he said. Dr Subramaniam said the Finance Ministry had also approved life-long free First Class treatment for organ donors, including those who donated their bone marrow or blood for hematopoeitic stem cell transplantation. -- BERNAMA