frequently asked questions
Organ & tissue donation is a subject which raises many questions.
Click on the links for answers.
Who can be a donor?
What is organ donation?
What are the
organs & tissues that can be donated?
When are the organs &
tissues removed?
Will my
hospital treatment be affected if they know that I am a donor?
Are there any religious objections?
How are the organs removed?
What if I change my mind later?
Will the
process of organ donation delay the funeral arrangements?
How can I become a donor?
Who can be a donor?
Anyone, young and old can sign up to be a donor. Individuals below
18 years of age will need parental/guardian consent.
What is organ donation?
It is the gift of ones body parts after death for the purpose of transplantation.
Transplantation is an operation, which involves the replacement of diseased
and defective organs & Tissues with healthy ones from donors. This
treatment helps save lives of people. Organ and tissue donation is the
ultimate humanitarian act of charity.
What
are the organs & tissues that can be donated?
The commonly transported organs are kidneys, heart, liver, lungs and
pancreas while the transplantable tissues are eyes, bone, skin and heart
valves. Thus a single donor can save the lives of a number of people.
When
are the organs & tissues removed?
Only when death has been confirmed by two registered doctors. The doctors
involved with certification of death are not involved in the transplant
operation at all.
Will
my hospital treatment be affected if they know that I am a donor?
Absolutely not. The doctors will undertake every known measure to save
your life right till the end. Only when they have exhausted all ways and
means to save your lives will the question of organ & tissue donation
be discussed with your relatives.
Are there
any religious objections?
No. All the major religions of the world -- Islam, Christianity, Buddhism,
Hinduism and Sikhism endorse organ & tissue donation as the ultimate
act of charity and benevolence.
How are the
organs removed?
The process of organ and tissue donation involves a sterile surgical
operation undertaken by a skilled team of surgeons. There is no mutilation
or disfiguration of the body. The donor is treated with utmost respect
and dignity as in any operation. Following removal of the organs and tissues,
the surgical wound will be closed just as in any other operation.
What
if I change my mind later?
Organ donation is voluntary and if at any point you decide against
donating your organs and tissues, all you have to do is to inform your
family about it and return your donor card.
Will
the process of organ donation delay the funeral arrangements?
Not at all. Arrangements for funeral can be made as in any case of
death. Following the removal of the organs and tissues, the body will be
cleaned & draped and returned to the family within the shortest possible
time. Removal of organs and tissues does not interfere with the customary
funeral or burial including open casket arrangements.
How can I
become a donor?
Simply complete a donor pledge form
and forward the form to the National Transplant Resource Center. You will
receive a registration card from the Center. Please inform your family
of your wish to be an organ and tissue donor.
For further information, contact:
The National Transplant Resource Center, Hospital Kuala Lumpur
03-2615-5555 ext 6576 (Hospital KL)
or 03-26942705.
BACKGROUND gives
you a brief description how this Organ Donation Campaign came about and
why we champion this cause to increase the number of organ & tissue
donors in Malaysia.
FAQ attempts to anwer questions
frequently raised on organ and tissue donation.
LINKS offer additional
resources for organ donation related web sites.
SIGN UP! is a form to
pledge your organs & tissues.
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