Health Tips

Interested to be an organ donor but don’t know how or find it confusing? Great news as you can now register to be an organ donor conveniently with just a click away! 

On the 6th of September 2022, our Ministry of Health, YB Tuan Khairy Jamaluddin had introduced the organ donation pledge registration feature on the MySejahtera mobile application most Malaysians have downloaded since the COVID-19 pandemic. The feature was incorporated mainly to shed a light on the importance of organ donations and the impact it’ll bring so as to increase the low transplant rate in Malaysia. It appears to be one of the Health Ministry’s overarching goals in transitioning the pandemic tracking app into a general national health app.

With this feature, Malaysians can now sign up to be an organ donor easily by just logging onto the app, filling in the required information and submitting the form; all on the MySejahtera app itself. The provided information will then directly reach the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC) where it’ll be electronically stored. As soon as there is a case of death in any hospital that would require organ transplantation, the notification will be shown in the system and the relevant medical personnels will be notified accordingly.
 

Image credit: DermaOrgan.gov.my
 

Did You Know: Organ Donation Rate in Malaysia 

According to statistics, there are 10,442 people in Malaysia as of now who are hoping and waiting patiently for an organ donation. However, ranked as one of the 10 countries with the lowest transplant rates in the world in 2021 (only 2.84 organ transplants performed per million population - Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation) only 2,700 transplant cases involving organ donation have been performed since as early as 1975. 

Furthermore, on average, a dialysis patient would need to wait about 12-15 years for a kidney transplant according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). This rate is concerning as it barely tackles the large volume of patients who need the transplant. As a result, a huge financial burden on the government is imposed as they have to spend more money on haemodialysis to treat end stage kidney failure patients.

What are the requirements and criteria to be an organ donor?

Anyone can sign up to be an organ and tissue donor except those suffering from infectious diseases such as HIV- AIDS, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. For those aged less than 18 years, written permission from parents is required. All organ donors are advised to inform their family members about their wish to donate organs after they die. This will help families to give consent for organ and tissue donation after their death.

What organs and/or tissues can I donate? 

Image credit: SAYS.com 

Ultimately, it is your medical condition at the time of death that will determine which organs or tissue can be donated assessed by a medical specialist.

Why should you be an organ donor? 

Apart from helping and saving lives of those in need as well as becoming an unsung hero to a family, registering yourself as an organ donor gives you the privilege to be exempted from hospital charges from the day of admission of your transplantation procedure until death provided that you’re admitted to any government hospitals. Literally killing two birds with a stone! However, for organ and tissue donation in a private hospital, hospital charges incurred from admission until the death of the patient would be the responsibility of the family or their heirs.

Additionally, an open-casket funeral is still definitely possible as rest assured, the process of organ donation will not result in any mutilation or disfiguration on the donor’s body. If you’re worried about religion issues, fret not as the official FAQ from dermaorgan (https://www.dermaorgan.gov.my/faqs/) had clarified that organ donation is permissible under Islam and all religion point of views. As a matter of fact, such an act is even encouraged as it is acknowledged to be a noble practice. Moreover, to address one of the most common concerns about organ donation; you will still be given the medical treatment as any other patient and your organs will not be taken away from you just because you’ve registered to be an organ donor. An organ donation will only be taken into account if you’ve been declared brain dead by your doctor.

Fun fact: a deceased donor who donates both of his/her kidneys can save up to 2 people’s lives since we can function just fine with one kidney. This subsequently allows 2 more haemodialysis patients to secure a place at the dialysis centre that has been vacated by those who received the donor’s kidneys. 

In short, one person can bring about positive impacts to 4 lives and that’s just the kidneys!

Step by step on how to register as an organ donor on MySejahtera:

1. Once you’ve updated your MySejahtera app to the latest version, go to your home screen and tap on “Organ Donor Pledge” on the top shortcut panel

2. Click on start

3. Fill up the required particulars of your next of kin such as their name, IC, mobile number, relationship etc. This is to obtain a written consent from your next of kin or family to donate your organs and/or tissues to others. Without consent, the transplantation procedure will not take place.

4. Submit the form
   
   Once submitted, an Organ Donation Pledge Card on your MySejahtera profile page below your digital vaccine certificate can be seen. The card will display your name, IC number as well as the date that you pledged as an organ donor as shown below. If you declare that your next of kin is not informed about your pledge, the app will notify them through a notification. In the event you wish to withdraw your pledge, you can do so by tapping on the “Organ Donor Pledge” on the home screen where you’ll be given a choice to Update or Withdraw your Pledge. MySejahtera will verify your withdrawal before submitting the decision. Once done, the Donor Pledge Card will turn grey for 14 days and if you decide to repledge again, you’ll have to wait for another 14 days.

Information source: How to register as an organ donor in Malaysia via MySejahtera?

The Decision Is In Your Hands

While we know nothing is promised and donating your organs and tissues that you take care of so dearly over the years sounds intimidating, it is one of the most noble and honorable contributions you can make to society. 

“Your Pledge is Their Hope”.

For more information, kindly visit the Living Organ Donation booklet by the Ministry of Health Malaysia here.

Written by Janelle Leong, Bpharm(Hons)

References:

1. Register as an organ donor on MySejahtera soon - New Straits Times. Available at https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/828292/register-organ-donor-mysejahtera-soon Accessed on 19th September 2022
2. Organ Donation - MyHEALTH. Available at http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/organ-donation-2/ Accessed on 19th September 2022
3. MySejahtera introduces Organ Donor Pledge feature - SoyaCincau. Available at https://soyacincau.com/2022/09/06/mysejahtera-makes-it-easier-to-sign-up-as-an-organ-donor-heres-how-to-pledge-online/ Accessed on 19th September 2022
4. How To Register To Be An Organ Donor In Malaysia - SAYS.com. Available at https://says.com/my/lifestyle/organ-donation-in-malaysia Accessed on 19th September 2022

Written by

DOC2US Editorial Team