Most people misinformed on organ donation: S’wak minister

KUCHING – The topic of organ donation is one that many people are not aware of, said Sarawak Women, Childhood, and Community Well-being Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.

She added that most people have heard only misconceptions on the subject, and called on the Sarawak Health Department to explain to the public the importance of organ donation, with accurate data.

“There is definitely a legal way when it comes to organ donation. I have informed the health promotion section of the Sarawak Health Department to also gather input from religious bodies regarding organ donation, so that they (the section) could explain to the public from the religions’ point of view.

“In some communities, it’s a taboo for any organ to be removed from a human body, even if it’s meant to be donated to someone who deserves it,” she said when asked to comment about the organ donation pledge.

The minister was met during a blood donation drive conducted by Pertubuhan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak, in collaboration with the blood bank of Sarawak General Hospital, at the Everrise Mile 4 branch here yesterday.

She said better knowledge and having accurate information would help the public understand organ donation and allow them to make better-informed decisions, especially in terms of pledging as a donor.

“After we die, in terms of the body condition, if any organ is taken out of the body, would it be regarded as mutilating the body? These are the questions that may arise with regard to organ donation.

“The society needs to know the details, in terms of the process and procedures that take place. I have been given the assurance that when it’s done, it actually does not leave any effect, contrary to what many may think.

“The whole process and procedures are things that we do not talk about every day; therefore, there is a need to have an information-sharing session for the public.

“We have to address the misconceptions about the process and procedures, and also in religious aspects, if there’s any contradiction or not.”

Fatimah also expressed hope that more people would come forward and pledge to become organ donors.

She said based on what the Sarawak Health Department’s health promotion section had indicated, there was a positive development in this regard.

“There were several blood-donation campaigns that I had attended that also incorporated organ-donation pledge programmes. In a recent blood donation drive, there were seven people who pledged to become organ donors.

“We hope in the upcoming activities, the number of pledges will increase.”

The national fatwa (edict) on organ donation, which has existed since 1970, states that organ donation is permissible.

The fatwa also declares that Islam prohibits the sale and trafficking of organs and tissues obtained through the killing of humans.

It is known that there is no restriction on organ donation after death in Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism. – Borneo Post Online, April 8, 2023