The unsung heroes behind organ donation in Malaysia

IN recent months, there has been much discussion about organ donation in Malaysia, from the low number of actual donors to the slow-growing number of donor pledges, and the high rate of refusals by next of kin when faced with the decision to donate.

While it may appear that donor pledges can easily be translated into actual donations, the reality is more complex. In deceased organ donation, many steps must be completed before donation can take place. Whether a country practices an opt-in or opt-out system, the process of deceased organ donation is highly challenging due to its technical, medical, and logistical requirements. In that process one group rarely gets mentioned: the donor coordinators, the professionals who make the donation process possible.