Malaysia Needs More Organ Donors As Patients Wait Up To 14 Years For Transplants

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Over 10,000 Malaysians are currently waiting for life-saving organ transplants, with kidneys being the most urgently needed

According to The Star, National Transplant Centre director Dr Mohd Syafiq Ismail Azman said there were 10,268 patients on Malaysia's organ transplant waiting list as of March, the vast majority of whom are suffering from kidney failure.

Others on the waiting list require liver, cornea, and heart transplants.

The shortage of donated organs has resulted in painfully long waiting times. Patients needing a kidney transplant typically have to wait between 10 and 13 years, while those requiring a heart transplant face an average wait of 14 years.

Although more than 424,000 Malaysians have pledged to donate their organs since the organ donation programme began in 1997, Dr Syafiq said the number of successful donations remains alarmingly low

Last year, only 89 out of 1,320 cases referred for organ and tissue donation resulted in successful organ procurement — roughly one successful donation for every 15 referrals.

According to Dr Syafiq, the biggest reason is that family members often do not give consent for organ procurement after a loved one passes away, even when the deceased had previously registered as an organ donor.

Dr Syafiq said many relatives decline organ donation because they mistakenly believe the deceased would "suffer" during the organ procurement process or because they were unaware that their loved one had signed up to become an organ donor.

Some families were also concerned that organ retrieval would delay funeral arrangements or disfigure the body, while others objected due to religious beliefs.

Because of this, Dr Syafiq stressed that registering as an organ donor alone is not enough.

He urged Malaysians to have an open conversation with their family members about their decision so that their wishes would be respected after their death.

"Organ donation is an act of compassion that can save lives and transform families. If you support organ donation, please do not just stop at registering your pledge.

"Have an open conversation with your loved ones so they clearly understand and respect your wishes.

"Family awareness of your wish and intention is critical in ensuring procurement is possible," he said.