Malaysian Society of Transplantation Calls for More Organ Donation Pledges Among Malaysian University Students

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

On 14 February 2024, the Malaysian Society of Transplantation, in collaboration with the National Transplant Resource Centre and the Ministry of Higher Education, launched the Varsity P.U.L.S.E (Pledge for the Urgent Life Saving Efforts).

This event was launched at Hospital Al-Sultan Abdullah UITM Puncak Alam by Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah, the Deputy Director-General of Health, to mark the beginning of an annual campaign engaging all universities nationwide, regardless of public or private status.

Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah stated during the launch: “Our organ donation rate is among the lowest globally. With 9,641 patients awaiting organs, each representing a person with a family, dreams, and hopes for a better life, it’s our responsibility to raise awareness and create a significant impact, fulfilling the true purpose of Varsity P.U.L.S.E–to ignite awareness among university students, the future generation of our nation.”

THE NEED FOR ORGAN DONATIONS REMAINS LARGELY UNFULFILLED

The most recent data indicates that there are 9,641 transplant patients waiting for their lifesaving procedures. The highest demand is for kidney transplants, both for adults (9,211) and pediatric cases (397).

Shockingly, only 1.07% of the population is currently registered as organ donors, underscoring the urgent need for action.

Varsity P.U.L.S.E aims to:

  • Increase awareness of organ donation among the younger generation in Malaysia
  • Dispel prevalent misconceptions surrounding organ donation
  • Boost the number of organ donor pledges.
CHALLENGES WITH ORGAN DONATION RATES IN MALAYSIA

Despite efforts to increase awareness, misconceptions about organ donation persist, fueled by cultural and religious beliefs.

Additionally, there’s a lack of trust in the healthcare system, with concerns about fairness and transparency in organ allocation processes.

Socio-economic factors also play a role, as many Malaysians are unaware of the benefits of organ donation or lack access to information.

Dr Mohamad Zaimi Abdul Wahab, the organizing chair of the Varsity PULSE, said: “The low rate of organ donation in Malaysia poses a grave threat to the lives of those awaiting transplants. Through Varsity P.U.L.S.E, we aim to foster a culture of awareness, understanding, and compassion among our youth, inspiring them to make a difference by pledging to donate their organs.”

The campaign comes at a time when pledging as an organ donor has never been easier, thanks to the integration of donor registration into the widely used MySejahtera app, facilitating seamless participation for Malaysians across the country.

A Call to Pledge Your Organs to a Noble Cause

WORDS DR MOHAMAD ZAIMI ABDUL WAHAB

FEATURED EXPERT
DR MOHAMAD ZAIMI ABDUL WAHAB
Vice President
Malaysian Society of Transplantation
THE URGENT NEED FOR KIDNEY DONORS
  • Malaysia has an estimated number of 48,000 patients on dialysis and awaiting kidney transplant.
  • Each patient has an average waiting period of 13 years to get a transplant done due to the low donation rate.
  • A scoring system is put in place because of this and with it, only about 10,000 patients are eligible to receive a kidney from a deceased donor.

The current statistics of organ donation and organ transplant could be even better if many stepped forward to help advocate this cause.

Although a 2% rise was seen since 2020 with 77 transplants conducted from 16 deceased donors this year, the numbers could certainly get better.

WILL ORGAN DONATION LEAD TO MUTILATION OF THE DECEASED’S BODY?

The permissibility of organ transplant has been a cause for concern and a challenge in changing mindsets.

While most religions in Malaysia encourage organ donation, some beliefs like Jehovah’s Witness and Shinto do not permit organ donation.

Based on the statistics provided by the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC), bodily mutilation and the lack of knowledge as to what the deceased would have wanted are two of the most common reasons why families refused to give consent for organ donations from a deceased.

Mutilation of the deceased body is a misconception.

In order to successfully conduct a transplant, the deceased would also have to undergo a surgery similar to that of the living.

This procedure is done in the very best of manner to preserve the anatomy of the deceased so that no obvious disfigurement is seen after the retrieval process.

HAVE YOU PLEDGED TO BE AN ORGAN DONOR? HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD
  • The self-satisfaction you can get in stepping forward to do an altruistic act through this pledge either for their loved ones, or any recipient in need.
  • Discovery of your risk of developing certain diseases or any undiagnosed diseases during the process of being a potential donor. You have the benefit of getting diagnosis and management earlier depending on their case if they are found to have something concerning.

So, have you asked yourself if you have the courage to pledge your kidney for the support of another and to give a fuller life to a patient with kidney failure? If you have done so, kudos to you, but if you have not, ask yourself what is stopping you and address those doubts scientifically.

Have the courage; make a pledge to be an organ donor now via your MySejahtera app.