A Nephrologist Answers Your Questions About Organ Transplant

WORDS DR MUHAMMAD IQBAL ABDUL HAFIDZ

FEATURED EXPERT
DR MUHAMMAD IQBAL ABDUL HAFIDZ
Head of the Nephrology Unit and Kidney Transplant Programme
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
QUESTION 1
Considering the advances made in dialysis technology, why is kidney transplant still considered a necessity for people with end stage kidney disease?

Kidney transplantation is generally regarded as the optimal treatment endpoint for individuals with end stage kidney disease.

This is because it offers superior long-term outcomes, improved quality of life, and reduced health risks.

Patients can lead a life like the one before they underwent dialysis.

However, it’s essential to consider individual eligibility and specific medical circumstances when determining whether the individual is suitable to receive a kidney transplant.

QUESTION 2
What are the likely reasons that make many Malaysians hesitate to donate their organs?

Such hesitancy could be due to cultural and religious beliefs, lack of awareness about the benefits and importance of organ donation, concerns about the healthcare system’s transparency, and potential family influences on their decision-making.

QUESTION 3
What are some of the common misconceptions that Malaysians harbour about organ donation?

Common misconceptions include:

  • Fears about the impact on the body after death.
  • Concerns about the fairness of organ allocation.
  • Lack of trust in the healthcare system.
  • Misunderstandings about the compatibility of organ donation with cultural or religious beliefs.

Education is crucial to dispel these myths.

QUESTION 4
What are the criteria for one to be eligible to be an organ donor?

Eligibility criteria for organ donation include:

  • Being in good general health.
  • Typically, under the age of 70.
  • Have no active infections or severe medical conditions.
  • Donor meets specific organ-specific criteria.

It’s essential for potential donors to discuss their intentions with their immediate family and register as donors to ensure their wishes are known and considered.

QUESTION 5
How do we register as an organ donor?

You can register as an organ donor through the MySejahtera app.

It is very simple to do. All you need to do is ensure that the next of kin is informed, which is part of the registration itself.

Once you complete the registration, the donor card will appear on the MySejahtera app.

If you change your mind later about being an organ pledger, you can make the necessary changes via the app at any time after you have registered.

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.

NKF Offers Kidney Transplant Subsidy to Needy Organ Donors & Patients

WORDS LIM TECK CHOON

GOOD NEWS FOR MALAYSIANS THAT REQUIRE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO UNDERGO KIDNEY TRANSPLANT

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) of Malaysia has launched its Kidney Transplant Subsidy.

This subsidy aims to help underprivileged patients and organ donors with their financial burden of kidney transplantation.

The subsidy will cover various costs from pre- to post-kidney transplantation, including income loss replacement for the workup and recuperating period.

“The subsidy accounts for the many costs that are prevalent in the process of transplantation, which can discourage organ donors and patients from following through especially for those that are underprivileged. With over 8,000 Malaysians being diagnosed with kidney disease annually, it’s imperative that we help facilitate transplantation to the best of our ability,” says Khor Xin Yun, the Chief Executive Officer of NKF Malaysia.

WHAT THE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT SUBSIDY COVERS
BEFORE THE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
  • Blood tests
  • Traveling expenses for out-of-town patients
  • Lodging expenses for out-of-town patients
  • Income loss replacement during organ donor’s workup
  • Other pre-kidney transplant workups, should services/facilities are not available at government hospitals and are needed in private settings
  • Other areas, where the need for kidney transplant screening is not available in government hospitals or being referred by government hospitals to private medical centres
DURING THE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
  • Traveling expenses
  • Lodging expenses for the patient, organ donor, and carer
  • Subsistence for the poor, from pre to post-kidney transplant, as needed
  • Income loss for the organ donor during the recuperating stage
AFTER THE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT
  • Traveling expenses for follow-up
  • Lodging
  • Subsistence
  • Income loss
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT SUBSIDY
Government or university hospitals

To apply for the kidney transplant subsidy, the consultant nephrologist from a government hospital refers and recommends a patient along with a detailed medical summary and a list of items required for the subsidy.

If a government or university hospital does not have the capacity to tend to the patient

The nephrologist can refer the patient to a private hospital for pre-transplant screening and workups under the subsidy. However, the subsidy does not include the cost of surgical fees, as government hospitals have the capacity to perform kidney transplant surgery and provide immunosuppression therapy.

For more information about the NKF Kidney Transplant Subsidy, visit their website (link opens in a new tab) call 03-7954 9048 ext 208. 

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.