'I believe our society should readily acknowledge the contribution of these donors who have given a kidney to save someone's life,' he said in in his written reply to a question from Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC in Parliament on Monday.

'An adequate financial reimbursement will be a practical gesture.'

Mr Khaw said the Health Ministry and National Kidney Foundation are working out the details.

Mr Tan had asked if reimbursement to organ donors is preferred to other methods to increase organ supply.

The financial reimbursement is expected to cover the additional expenses that donors have to incur as a result of their kidney donation. These would include costs such as for additional medical care, loss of income and higher insurance premiums.

Such reimbursement is best done by a voluntary welfare organisation, which will need to raise fund from the public to support such a mission, said the minister.

He stressed that the focus will still be on prevention, especially on diabetes management to reduce the incidence of kidney failure.

This means getting all diabetic patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

The Ministry of Health will also focus on raising kidney transplant rate through promoting and supporting altruistic kidney donation by both cadavers and related living donors.

'We have some way to go, as compared to say Spain and Norway,' he said.

The minister will be seeking changes to the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) to lift the HOTA age limit, allow pair-matched transplants by living donors, and support the welfare of donors, including financial compensation.