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.