Latest news with #NationalTransplantResourceCentre
The Star
a day ago
- Health
- The Star
Disapproving families contribute to longer wait for transplants, says Dzulkefly
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.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Dzulkefly: 10,800 awaiting organ transplants
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 10,800 people are waiting for organ transplants in Malaysia, an increase of 5.4 per cent from last year, said the health minister. Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the figure highlighted the urgent need to increase Malaysia's organ donation rate, which was significantly lower compared with other countries such as Muslim-majority Turkiye and Iran. "In Malaysia, the ratio stands at only 1.33 donors per one million people, while Turkiye has reached 7.5, the United States 36.9, and Spain at the top with 50.26 per million," he said after launching the National Organ Donation Awareness Week at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa here yesterday. Dzulkefly said family refusal was one of the main barriers to the harvesting of organs despite more than 400,000 Malaysians pledging to donate since 1997. "This is the main hurdle we need to overcome. That is why this year's campaign theme is 'Warisku, Hormati Ikrarku' (to my family, respect my pledge), which seeks to ensure that the wishes of pledged donors are honoured by their families." As of July this year, 404,975 Malaysians have pledged their organs. However, only 3,359 transplants have been carried out since records began, comprising 1,121 cadaveric and 2,238 living donations. Dzulkefly said Malaysia planned to discuss organ donation at the Asean level. "I have asked for proposals to be prepared so that the issue can be tabled at the Asean health ministers' meeting later this year." He added that Malaysia's low organ donation rate must be addressed through governance reforms, better coordination at the National Transplant Resource Centre and public campaigns. Organ donation pledges, he said, had been rising steadily - with 29,960 new pledges in 2022, 31,058 in 2023, and 7,802 so far this year. Actual donations, however, remained low, with 43 cadaveric and 145 living transplants performed in 2022, compared with 82 cadaveric and 165 living transplants in 2023. Last year, there were 79 cadaveric and 135 living transplants.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Malaysia Organ Crisis: 10,800 wait despite 400,000 pledges
KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly 10,800 Malaysians are waiting for organ transplants, yet only a fraction of more than 400,000 registered pledges since 1997 have resulted in actual donations, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said. He said kidneys are the most urgently needed, followed by liver, heart and lung transplants but donations often fail to proceed without family consent. Launching the National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week 2025 at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa today, Dzulkefly urged Malaysians to respect the wishes of loved ones who had registered as donors. 'Too often, organ donations cannot proceed because families withhold consent. This year's theme, Derma Organ: Warisku, Hormati Ikrarku (Organ Donation: My Heirs, Respect My Pledge), is about ensuring that donors' wishes are respected. 'If families honour these pledges, many more lives could be saved,' he said. As of July, 404,975 Malaysians had registered as organ donors, including 16,635 new pledges through the MySejahtera app. Despite this, donation rates remain low. In 2024, only 46 posthumous donations were recorded, equivalent to 1.33 donors per million population (PMP). By comparison, Turkiye recorded 7.5 PMP, the United States 34.14 PMP, and Spain 52.56 PMP. 'These figures show we are still far behind. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Iran – all Muslim-majority nations – have made organ donation a national priority. 'We must strengthen awareness across all races, cultures and religions in Malaysia,' Dzulkefly said. He said that the demand for transplants continues to rise as cases of end-stage organ failure increase nationwide. 'In 2023 alone, about 53,000 Malaysians were living with end-stage kidney failure. Dialysis is not a cure, it is only a treatment – three times a week, three hours per session. We must move beyond dialysis and focus on curative therapy – organ transplants,' he said. Since the country's first local transplant in 1975, Malaysia has successfully performed 3,359 organ transplants – 2,238 from living donors and 1,121 from deceased donors. Tissue donations, including corneas, heart valves, bones and skin grafts, are also on the rise, with nearly 200 recorded in 2024. A milestone was achieved last year when 74% of cornea transplants at Sungai Buloh Hospital used tissue donated by Malaysian citizens, reducing reliance on foreign sources. Looking ahead, Dzulkefly said the Health Ministry plans to transform the National Transplant Resource Centre into the National Transplant Centre to strengthen governance, expand capacity and accelerate innovation in transplantation. 'It can no longer just be talk, workshops or blueprints. We must leave footprints – real outcomes. Strong governance, proper coordination across centres and strategic planning are key,' he said. Malaysia will also push the organ donation agenda onto the regional stage. Dzulkefly said Malaysia would champion organ donation as a collective regional priority during the Asean Health Ministers' Meeting in 2026. 'Organ donation is not merely a medical issue, but one of compassion and sacrifice. Let us together make it a legacy of humanity, passed from one generation to the next,' he said. Acknowledging challenges such as workforce shortages, the contract doctor system and limited resources, Dzulkefly nevertheless stressed that organ donation will remain a key priority for the ministry.
Barnama
2 days ago
- Health
- Barnama
Family Objections Hinder Organ Donation, Over 10,000 Patients On Waiting List
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Objections from organ donors' next of kin remain one of the main challenges for organ donation in the country, where over 10,000 patients are still on the waiting list for transplants, according to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said more than 400,000 Malaysians had pledged to donate their organs, but the number is considered low compared to the current demand. 'The number of deceased donors is still small, with only 46 cases, or 1.33 donors per million population,' he told reporters after launching the National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week here today. According to him, 10,800 kidney patients are waiting for transplants, in addition to those requiring liver, heart, and lung transplants. 'The organs most urgently needed are the liver and heart, as well as tissue and bone,' he said. Dr Dzulkefly said it is time for all parties to step up efforts and take proactive measures to strengthen the organ donation agenda in the country. He added that the theme 'Warisku, Hormati Ikrarku' of this year's National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week serves as a call for the public to respect the pledges made by organ donors. 'Hopefully, with this theme guiding our awareness programmes and fostering greater consciousness, we will achieve more success in implementing organ donation, as our current accomplishments remain low compared to countries with predominantly Muslim populations such as Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Iran, not to mention European countries like Spain and the United States,' he said. He said plans are also underway to transform the National Transplant Resource Centre into the National Transplant Centre as part of efforts to strengthen governance, increase capacity, and accelerate innovation in donation and transplant services, adding that the initiative is currently at the stakeholder engagement stage.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
10,800 on organ transplant waiting list, says health minister
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 10,800 people are currently waiting for organ transplants in Malaysia, an increase of 5.4 per cent from last year, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. He said the figure highlights the urgent need to boost organ donation rates in the country, which remain significantly lower compared to other nations, including those with Muslim-majority populations such as Turkey and Iran. "In Malaysia, the ratio stands at only 1.33 donors per one million people, while Turkey has reached 7.5, the United States 36.9, and Spain at the top with 50.26 per million," he told a press conference after launching the National Organ Donation Awareness Week at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa. Dzulkefly said family refusal remained one of the main barriers to successful organ transplants despite more than 400,000 Malaysians pledging to donate since 1997. "This is the main hurdle we need to overcome. That is why this year's campaign theme is 'My Heirs, Respect My Pledge', which seeks to ensure that the wishes of pledged donors are honoured by their families," he said. As of July this year, 404,975 Malaysians have pledged to be organ donors. However, only 3,359 transplants have been carried out since records began, comprising 1,121 cadaveric and 2,238 living donations. Dzulkefly said Malaysia plans to elevate organ donation to the Asean health agenda. "I have asked for proposals to be prepared so that the issue can be tabled at the Asean health ministers' meeting later this year. He added that Malaysia's low performance in organ donation must be addressed through reforms in governance, better coordination at the National Transplant Resource Centre and sustained public education campaigns. He added that statistics show that organ pledges have risen steadily, with 29,960 new pledges in 2022, 31,058 in 2023, and 7,802 in the first seven months of 2025. Actual donations, however, remain low, with 43 cadaveric and 145 living transplants performed in 2022, compared with 82 cadaveric and 165 living transplants in 2023. In 2024, there were 79 cadaveric and 135 living transplants.
