FOREIGN donors in Singapore will not be excluded from being compensated under the proposed changes to the Human Organ Transplant Act (Hota).

Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan made it clear that ethical standards must be applied equally - to Singaporeans, permanent residents and foreigners - as long as the organ transplant surgery is carried out here.

This followed earlier suggestions that organ donation laws will focus on Singaporeans.

'As a regional medical hub, we serve patients - local and foreign. If foreigners bring their own sets of relatives or donors and vice versa ... I think we should be open to that,' Mr Khaw told reporters on Friday after draft changes to the Hota was released by his ministryon Thursday.

The proposed changes are open for public consultation for four weeks.

They aim to protect the welfare of living organ donors, who, in donating their kidneys, face both short- and long-term risks.

To ensure donor welfare would not be compromised, the Health Ministry also wants to compensate them for expenses incurred as a result of the donation, and indirect losses such as lost earnings and future expenses due to the donation.

Mr Khaw, who attended the re-opening of the Yishun public library on Friday, said a committee, comprising 'wise men and women who understand societal needs', will be advising the government on what is reasonable compensation 'not amounting ot inducement.'

One model that would be looked at is the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's approach to donation of human eggs for medical research.

'While a compensation of US$5,000 (S$7,400) needs justification and more questioning, sums exceeding US$10,000 will be deemed inappropriate,' said Mr Khaw.

There are now about 518 people on the kidney transplant wait list as of October 31.

A shortage of donors means the waiting time can average nine years. Last year, more than 80 patients were removed from the waiting list because they died, or had become too old or too sick for a transplant.

Religious customs, cultural mores and a fear of transplant operations have been cited as reasons for the donor shortage.