Malaysia has 10,036 patients with organ failure as Health Ministry pushes transplant reforms

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Some 10,036 patients in Malaysia are living with organ failure as of Oct 15, highlighting the need for comprehensive reforms to the country’s organ donation and transplant system to improve access to life-saving treatment.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad said the need was increasingly urgent as the deceased-donor rate was 1.33 per million population.

He said the establishment of the National Transplant Council (MTK) was a strategic step towards strengthening governance and driving the national organ donation agenda through a whole-of-government approach, replacing the fragmented efforts of individual agencies.

“Through MTK, we are bringing together ministries and agencies to improve coordination. This includes emergency air transport through Mercy Flight, involving the Fire and Rescue Department and the Defence Ministry, as well as police Outrider escorts to minimise delays.

“We are also studying a proposal to include organ donor registration status on driving licences in collaboration with the Transport Ministry. This would be supported by sustainable funding from the Finance Ministry and clear religious guidance from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM),” he said in a Facebook post.

Dzulkefly said he had chaired the first MTK meeting yesterday afternoon.

He said the reforms would bring three main benefits, including ensuring that organs were allocated more transparently and fairly based on medical priorities.

They would also give the public greater confidence in organ donation, with all procedures governed by the Human Tissues Act 1974 and relevant religious rulings.

“The integrated logistics network will also ensure that donated organs reach operating theatres as quickly as possible,” he said.

Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry would continue to strengthen public awareness campaigns through the “Warisku, Hormati Ikrarku” initiative to ensure donors’ wishes were respected, including by their family members.

He said respecting donors’ pledges and supporting patients awaiting transplants were a shared responsibility. — Bernama

Ipoh police bust investment scam call centre targeting victims in Germany, five arrested

Ramanan: More than 500 houses affected by floods in Sungai Buloh, relief centre opened

In Dewan Rakyat today: Pipeline project recovery, airport smuggling and delayed projects under scrutiny

吉隆坡，11月3日讯——截至10月15日，马来西亚约有10036名器官衰竭患者，这凸显了该国器官捐献和移植系统需要进行全面改革，以改善获得救命治疗的机会。

卫生部长拿督斯里祖基菲里·艾哈迈德表示，由于每百万人口中只有 1.33 名死者捐献者，因此对器官的需求日益迫切。

他表示，成立国家移植委员会 (MTK) 是加强治理、通过全政府方式推动国家器官捐献议程的战略步骤，取代了各个机构各自为政的努力。

“通过MTK，我们将各部委和机构聚集在一起，以改善协调。这包括通过仁慈飞行队进行紧急空中运输，涉及消防救援部门和国防部，以及警察护卫队护送，以最大限度地减少延误。”

他在脸书上发帖称：“我们还在与交通部合作，研究一项将器官捐献者登记状态纳入驾驶执照的提案。这项提案将得到财政部的可持续资金支持，以及马来西亚伊斯兰发展局（JAKIM）明确的宗教指导。”

祖基菲里表示，他昨天下午主持了第一次MTK会议。

他表示，这些改革将带来三大好处，包括确保器官分配更加透明、公平，并符合医疗优先事项。

它们还将增强公众对器官捐献的信心，所有程序都将受到 1974 年《人体组织法》和相关宗教规定的约束。

“一体化的物流网络还将确保捐献的器官尽快送达手术室，”他说。

祖基菲里表示，卫生部将继续通过“Warisku, Hormati Ikrarku”倡议加强公众意识宣传活动，以确保捐赠者的​​意愿得到尊重，包括其家人的意愿。

他表示，尊重捐赠者的承诺和支持等待器官移植的患者是大家的共同责任。——马新社

怡保警方捣毁一个以德国受害者为目标的投资诈骗电话中心，五人被捕。

拉马南：双溪毛糯洪水灾情已达500多户，救援中心已开放

今日国会下议院议题：管道项目恢复、机场走私和延期项目受到审查