MoH sets up committee to govern organ transplants

KUALA LUMPUR – Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah has announced the establishment of an organ transplantation committee under the Health Ministry.

The committee, he said, will tighten governance of transplantation services and regulate the organ donation programme among living donors.  

“This committee will carefully assess various aspects including backgrounds of medical problems, mental health, and also the socio-economic position of transplant surgery applicants.

“This will ensure that the potential organ donor has a good support system and increase the chances of their overall health situation being unaffected by the operation.

“The establishment of a proper governance system is vital to protect the rights of potential donors and ensure that the donation does not involve any coercion or elements of trafficking,” he said in a statement today.

Assuring that the ministry views allegations of the existence of an organ trafficking market in the nation seriously, Dr Noor Hisham urged the public to come forward to the ministry or police if they have information on any such activities.

“The ministry would like to emphasise that assertions of the existence of organ buying and selling activities in the country must be taken very seriously as it exploits certain groups and contradicts medical ethics.

“If there are any activities involving human trafficking for the purpose of selling and buying organs, they need to be investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.”

Consistent with national and international obligations, the ministry does not support any individual or organisation involved in illegal and unethical organ procurement activities, he said.  

Previously, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal received brickbats from medical personnel and netizens when he claimed that there are impoverished citizens who have resorted to selling their kidneys to make ends meet.

He made the allegation during a press conference in Parliament, during which he called on the government to approve another round of Employees Provident Fund withdrawals. – The Vibes, April 7, 2023