GEORGE TOWN (Malaysia): More Malaysians should come forward and pledge to donate their organs, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Shirlin Abdul Rashid yesterday. She said Malaysia had been listed as among the countries with the lowest number of organ donors in the world.
In a recent survey conducted by the World Health Organisation's Global Observatory on Donation and Transplant, it was revealed that the organ donor rate in Malaysia was only 0.636 per cent per one million people, compared with 34.3 per cent for every million people in Spain.
She said there were 22,932 patients who were on dialysis treatment last year, compared with 7,837 patients in 2001.
"The people must understand the importance of organ donation. They can help those in need by pledging to donate their organs," said Rosnah at the "Race Against Time: Run for Life" beach run in Batu Ferringhi here yesterday.
Currently, there are 12,133 renal, liver, heart and lung failure patients who are on the waiting list to receive new organs.
"Up till April, 165,438 Malaysians have signed up
Originally published by The New Straits Times.
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