THE government is considering including organ donor registration status on driving licences as part of efforts to strengthen organ donation and improve access to life-saving transplants.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the proposal was being studied with the Transport Ministry following the establishment of the National Transplant Council (MTK), which aims to coordinate the country's organ donation and transplant efforts.
He said the initiative would require sustainable funding from the Finance Ministry and clear religious guidance from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
The council, which held its first meeting yesterday under his chairmanship, would also coordinate emergency air transport through the Mercy Flight initiative, involving the Fire and Rescue Department and the Defence Ministry, as well as police Outrider escorts to minimise delays in transporting donated organs.
Dzulkefly said the reforms were increasingly urgent, with 10,036 patients living with organ failure as at Oct 15 and the deceased-donor rate standing at just 1.33 per million population.
He said the council would bring ministries and agencies together under a whole-of-government approach, replacing fragmented efforts by individual agencies.
The reforms would also ensure organs were allocated transparently and fairly according to medical priorities, while strengthening public confidence in the donation process.
All procedures would be governed by the Human Tissues Act 1974 and relevant religious rulings, he said in a Facebook post.
An integrated logistics network would help ensure donated organs reached operating theatres as quickly as possible.
The Health Ministry would also continue public awareness campaigns through its “Warisku, Hormati Ikrarku” initiative to ensure donors' pledges were respected, including by their family members.
Dzulkefly said respecting donors' wishes and supporting patients awaiting transplants were shared responsibilities. - November 3, 2026
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