Feedback On Human Organ Transplant Act Amendments Positive: NKF

By Dominique Loh

The National Kidney Foundation says public feedback on the proposed amendments to the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) has been positive. Meanwhile others are still in the dark about organ transplants.

So, the NKF will be doing more to dispel public misconceptions about organ transplants.

Proposals to amend HOTA will pave the way to include liver and cornea transplants and cover transplants from non-accidental deaths and living donors.

NKF's CEO, T T Durai, said: "It's going to help many people. About 600 people in Singapore are waiting for kidney transplants. Every year, about 30 are waiting for a liver transplant and there are many people who need corneas, and they all suffer and die because we don't have these organs."

Jacklyn Ker was one of the lucky ones.

She had a kidney transplant 5 months ago, the organ donated by her mother.

But how long will the wait be for 39-year-old Ng Kian Hoe is still a big question mark.

"My wish is that I can get a kidney transplant as soon as possible. The last three years of dialysis have been quite tough, and the hope is I'll get a transplant through the amendment of the Human Organ Transplant Act," he said.

The biggest challenge now is still educating every Singaporean about organ transplants.

Holding a rally is just one of the activities planned and next week, the NKF will hit the streets with its education outreach programme.

Copyright © 2003 MediaCorp News Pte Ltd.

This article posted March 27, 2003.