Gift of sight: Two can see again thanks to Sabah accident victim's cornea donation

KOTA KINABALU: Two people have received the gift of sight through cornea donations from an accident victim here.

Laini Sukat, 60, who succumbed to her injuries in the mishap in Ranau district last month, had previously told her family of her intentions to donate her organs after her passing.

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This was conveyed to hospital staff after her death on Jan 19 and she became the second person to donate her organs in Sabah this year.

State Health Department director Datuk Dr Rose Nani Mudin said arrangements for organ transplants were then made immediately.

“Her case was referred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Transplant Resource Centre for evaluation, logistical management and coordination of donation,” she said in a statement on Sunday (Feb 19).

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She said the donor’s corneas were given to two recipients.

“We wish to thank the donor and her family for allowing us to do this, and for giving such a great gift to two patients in need,” said Dr Rose Nani.

“We pray for strength for the grieving family and may her soul rest in peace,” she said.

She said the assistance rendered by the Ranau police and Sabah Magistrate's Court for the procedure to go smoothly was greatly appreciated as well.

Dr Rose Nani urged more people to come forward as organ donors, as the number is still low in Sabah.

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She said they can do so by filling up a form through the MySejahtera application and to also inform their close relatives if they intend to become organ donors.

The late Cospermas Gugkang also had his corneas donated to two recipients in Sabah after his death last month.