KUALA LUMPUR: Objections from the next-of-kin of deceased organ donors are among the reasons behind the long waiting list for those who need organ transplants in Malaysia, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The Health Minister said there were more than 10,000 kidney patients on the waiting list for transplants as of July 31 this year.
He said those with liver, heart and lung conditions were also on the waiting list.
“The reasons behind (such) are multifactorial, but in general, objections from a donor’s next-of-kin present a challenge.
“If we can overcome this, I’m confident we can improve the percentage of our organ transplants,” he told reporters after launching the National Organ Donation Awareness Week here yesterday.
Dzulkefly said this year’s campaign is focused on getting the next-of-kin to respect a deceased donor’s pledge.
“We have always urged the public to pledge as organ donors, but now, we need to step up and have a call for action.
“It’s no longer about talk.”
For 2024, he said the organ donor rate from cadavers was still low with only 46 cases or 1.33 donors for one million people.
On the number of organ transplants, he said 3,359 had been carried out between 1997 and July 31 this year.
This comprised 1,121 cadavers while 2,238 were from live donors.
A total of 404,925 Malaysians pledged to donate their organs during the same period.
Almost 200 tissue transplant procedures were carried out last year, with 74% on cornea transplants involving donations from Malaysians.
“The figures are hopeful but also a reminder that the journey is still long.
“In reality, we are still facing challenges. Kidney, liver and heart (transplants) are among the most needed.
“The same goes for tissue and bones,” Dzulkefly added.
He said the rate of organ transplants in Malaysia is still low compared with countries like Spain, Turkiye and China.
The Health Minister said he will raise the matter at the Asean Health Ministers’ Meeting next year, with the aim to strengthen governance, improve the capacity and speed up innovative processes in donor and transplant services.
Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said efforts to reform the National Transplant Resource Centre are underway.
This, he said, will see a shift towards setting-up a National Transplant Centre.
“The purpose is to empower governance, increase capacity and hasten innovation in organ donations and transplants,” Dzulkefly said, adding that engagements are also on the agenda.
