"M'sia Has Critical Shortage Of Organ Donors" — Says Malaysian Society of Transplantation
The launch of Varsity P.U.L.S.E (Pledge for the Urgent Life Saving Efforts) seeks to spread awareness to the younger generation.
By Laila Zain — 21 Feb 2024, 11:14 AM
The Malaysian Society of Transplantation, in collaboration with the National Transplant Resource Centre and the Ministry of Higher Education, has announced the launch of Varsity P.U.L.S.E (Pledge for the Urgent Life Saving Efforts)
The annual campaign seeks to engage universities nationwide, both public and private, in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation to the younger generation.
Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah, Deputy Director-General of Health, speaks at the launch of Varsity P.U.L.S.E.
Image via Varsity P.U.L.S.E. (Provided to SAYS)Speaking at the launch of the event at Hospital Al-Sultan Abdullah UITM Puncak Alam, Datuk Dr Nor Fariza Ngah, Deputy Director-General of Health, said, "As Malaysians, we should take pride in our various achievements, yet behind them lies a concerning reality: 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," Dr Nor Fariza added.
The primary objective of Varsity P.U.L.S.E is threefold:
Increase awareness of organ donation among the younger generation in Malaysia
Dispel prevalent misconceptions surrounding organ donation
Boost the number of organ donor pledges
Malaysia faces a critical shortage of organ donors and ranks among the lowest in the world for organ donation
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.
Overcoming these barriers requires targeted education campaigns, community engagement, and policy initiatives to build trust, dispel myths, and increase awareness about the importance of organ donation in saving lives.
As of the latest records, there are 9,641 transplant patients waiting for lifesaving procedures. The highest demand is for kidney transplants, both for adults (9,211) and paediatric cases (397).
Shockingly, only 1.07% of the country's population is currently registered as organ donors, underscoring the urgent need for action.
"The low rate of organ donation in Malaysia poses a grave threat to the lives of those awaiting transplants," said Dr Mohamad Zaimi Abdul Wahab, Consultant Nephrologist at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL)
"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," Dr Mohamad Zaimi concluded.
The campaign comes at a time when pledging as an organ donor has never been easier, thanks to the integration of donor registration on the MySejahtera app
Throughout the campaign period, universities will actively participate in raising awareness through two key initiatives.
Firstly, the "Organ Donation Awareness Campaign by Students" will see student groups formed within each university organising awareness campaigns on campus to foster understanding and support among peers.
Educational materials provided by the Malaysian Society of Transplantation and the National Transplant Resource Centre will ensure the dissemination of accurate information.
Additionally, the "Organ Donation TikTok Challenge" will invite participants to craft interactive short videos with the aim of raising awareness about organ donation, aligning with predetermined themes.
Judging criteria will include adherence to the theme and originality, accuracy of facts presented, clarity of the message, and level of creativity displayed. This approach ensures that winning entries are not only engaging but also effectively communicate the importance of organ donation across social media platforms.
