One of the most altruistic acts one can do is to donate organs to people who need them. Organ donation is the process of donating a person’s organs and tissues to be transplanted into someone who, in many cases, is very ill or dying. The organ transplantation will be conducted by a team of medical specialists for the treatment of patients who are close to death. Organ transplantation saves lives and improves patient’s quality of life, and it will not be possible without the generosity of an organ donor.
According to the National Transplant Resource Centre in 2012, there are only 0.7 organ donors per million population in Malaysia; to put things into perspective, Saudi Arabia has 4.5, 4.0 in Qatar and 2.9 in Iran. Study has found that Malaysians continue to remain apathetic to organ donation, and they are unlikely to do it even if non-fungible incentives are provided to them.
According to this study conducted in the European Union, people who are more educated and younger generally show more willingness to pledge as an organ donor. Presumed organ donation policy that is carried out in the EU also plays a huge role in garnering organ donors. Nevertheless, that’s not the case in Malaysia, and the decision to be an organ donor should be completely voluntary and free of pressure or guilt. Based on the latest legislation in Malaysia, no organs or tissues will be removed without the consent of the next-of-kin or family members.
Image via Kevin Kandlbinder on Unsplash
Which organs can be donated?
Image via Donate Life Virginia
The types of organs you would end up donating also depend on the types of death you had (*touchwood*). Generally, there are two types of death — brain death and cardiac death. Most people die with a cardiac death, whereby their heart stops beating and they stop breathing. In this scenario, they can only donate their body tissues, i.e. eyes/cornea, heart valve, bones, tendons and skin.
If someone dies of a brain death, which occurs when the person experiences a severe brain damage caused by head injury, stroke, infection, tumors or lack of oxygen, the person can donate all their organs and tissues. Brain death is different from a normal coma– someone whose brain is dead cannot breathe on their own and have to rely on a ventilator to keep their physiologic functions going. The scientific community and National Fatwa Council has endorsed that brain death is death. To prevent conflict of interest, brain death is certified by two medical specialists who are independent of organ transplantation.
Is organ donation permissible in religions?
The majority of religions practised in Malaysia permits organ donation. You may select your faith or belief system for guidance and advice related to organ donation here.
Common concerns about organ donation
Can I become an organ donor if I have a medical condition?
A person cannot pledge as an organ donor if they have or suspected of having:
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Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a rare but serious brain disease that can be transmitted to other people
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Certain active cancer - However, it may be possible for people with certain types of cancers to donate after three years of treatment. It may also be possible to donate corneas and some tissue in these circumstances.
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HIV- In rare cases, the organs of donors with HIV have been used to help others who also have HIV. If you live with HIV and wish to be a donor, please register to donate, the medical team will establish whether or not your organs are suitable for donation.
Because these medical conditions are not common, most Malaysians are actually eligible to become an organ donor. Nonetheless, if you have other illness or medical conditions which are not mentioned above, you can still become an organ donor if you want to. The decision about whether some or all organs or tissue are suitable for transplant is made by medical specialists at the time of donation, taking into account your medical, travel and social history. It may turn out that certain organs are not suitable for transplantation, but other organs and tissues may be fine. So don’t disqualify yourself prematurely!
Will organ donation after death mean I can't have an open-casket funeral?
No, organ and tissue donation will not disfigure a person’s physical appearance, so it’s still possible to have an open-casket funeral.
Is there an age limit for becoming an organ donor?
There’s no age limit for becoming an organ donor. The youngest deceased tissue donor in Malaysia was only 25 days old! Again, the decision about whether organs or tissues can be donated is assessed by the medical doctors. If you are below the age of 18, you'll need your parents/guardian's consent to be an organ donor.
Will becoming an organ donation pledger affect the quality of my medical care I get at a hospital?
Absolutely not! The healthcare professionals and medical staff at the hospitals will do their best to treat every patient, regardless of whether they’re a pledger or not.
Will there be any risk after I donated my organ alive?
We don’t pretend that donating an organ alive is a walk in a park – it is a major surgery. All surgery comes with risks such as bleeding, infection, blood clots, allergic reactions, or damage to nearby organs and tissues. Although you will have anesthesia during the surgery as a living donor, you can have pain while you recover. Pain and discomfort will vary depending on the type of surgery. And you may have visible, lasting scars from surgery. It will take some time for your body to recover from surgery. You might have to miss work until you're fully healed.
Can I become a donor if I drink, smoke or have a tattoo?
Your lifestyle choices to drink, smoke or having tattoos won’t prevent you from becoming an organ donor. Again, the doctors will assess which organs are suitable for transplantation.
Can I become a donor if I’m unable to donate blood?
Even if you have been denied donating blood before, you can still become an organ donor. There are many reasons why a person is denied a blood donation, which you can clarify with the healthcare professional.
The decision is yours.
The impact of organ donation touches so many lives in beautiful and unexpected ways – as told by this touching story about a Malaysian girl who came back to her parents in another body. In fact, 1 organ donor can save up to 8 lives and the tissues and corneas donated can improve a whopping 75 lives! Pledging as an organ donor is perhaps one of the most noble acts you can do with little or no cost incurred.
If you’re interested in becoming a living donor, do weigh the risks and benefits seriously. Clarify all your doubts with the transplant center and your doctor.
If you would live to pledge as an organ donor and donate your organs in the case of death, you may register by emailing 'SAYA NAK IKRAR' or 'I WANT TO PLEDGE' to ntrc@moh.gov.my. The National Transplant Resource Centre will send you a registration form to fill in and send back via email. You will receive an organ donor pledge card by mail within four to six weeks. You should fill the card in and keep it in your wallet as proof of your status as an organ donor.
Organ donor pledge card. Image via May Vin Ang/SAYS
Remember to inform your family about your wish to become an organ and tissue donor.
For more information, visit Derma Organ on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
References
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Mayo Clinic - Organ donation: Don't let these myths confuse you
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Malaysian Medical Council - Guideline of Organ Transplantation
Cover image credit: Kevin Kandlbinder on Unsplash
