Q&A : Can we set a certain criteria for the people who will received our organ?

Question : I had signed up for organ donation

However both me and my wife are wondering if we can set certain criteria as to the type of people that get our organs?

Nothing complicated, just

1. Race/ religion 

2. Age perhaps 

Also , would the next of kin be made aware on who got the organ ? 

Thank you.

Answer :

Organ donation is basically an altruistic, non-biased and non discriminating charity program. It instils the culture of respect, understanding, love and care for one another, regardless of age, skin colour, social status or religion. Since the inception of Deceased Organ Donation in this country, we have seen many successful interracial, interreligion and even internation life saving transplantation. Life saving transplantation will only be a failure if organ and tissue allocation is based upon social status, religion or even skin colour.

Thus the Malaysian organ and tissue allocation is strictly based upon the dire need and clinical condition of the recipient (in which those who are declared in need of an organ replacement by a clinical consultant, will be listed in the national recipient registry). We do not accept any conditional request a.k.a to only donate to certain group of people based upon religion, skin colour or social status.

As for the second question, during the organ donation discussion with family members, we will routinely ask whether they would like to know the outcome of transplantation and the recipients of the organ. If they agree to be informed, we shall reinforce that we will only be able to inform them of the age, origin of the recipient and the disease and duration that was suffered by the recipient. Nothing more. This is to protect the privacy of the organ recipient and help maintain harmony between both sides.

I can reassure you that family members of the donor are floored to hear the news that the donor and even themselves have managed to save another persons’ life. No words can express the feeling felt by the family members and our team at that point. i hope I answered your question.