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A publicity drive explaining this change to the 300,000 adult Muslim Singaporeans and permanent residents affected is also underway.
Parliament on Monday amended the Human Organ Transplant Act (Hota), under which a person between the ages of 21 and 60 is presumed to have agreed to donate his kidneys, heart, liver and corneas when he dies, unless he has opted out.
Muslims, however, were exempt from this law when it took effect in 1987. Instead, they had to opt in to donate their organs, and only 16,000 signed up to do so.
As a result, most of the Muslims who needed organ transplants ended up having to wait longer than non-Muslims, because they were given lower priority for not having opted in.
With the change in the law, Muslims will stand an equal chance of qualifying for a transplant.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan told the House that the change would mean about 30 more patients a year will be able to have the organ transplant they need.
But Mr Khaw also acknowledged that while most Muslims supported the change, some still have doubts about the transplant process.
Hence the Health Ministry is preparing packages for all Muslims affected and will distribute them over the coming months.
These will include booklets explaining Hota, Islam's position on organ donation and an opt-out form.
MPs who spoke during the debate on the Human Organ Transplant (Amendment) Bill on Monday highlighted various concerns:
Madam Halimah Yacob (Jurong GRC) and Dr Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade GRC) urged hospitals to be extra-sensitive when approaching donors' grieving families.
Many Muslims had, at dialogues on the Human Organ Transplant Act (Hota), noted that organ transplant should not unduly delay the release of the donor's body.
Dr Fatimah proposed lowering the age of Hota inclusion from 21 to 18.
Dr Ahmad Magad (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) said living donor transplants could augment cadaveric transplants, while Madam Halimah was concerned about the international trade in organs.
NMP Thio Li-Ann asked if a Muslim could donate to or receive organs from non-Muslims, to which Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said there were no restrictions in Islam.
Prof Thio asked if opting out of Hota could be simplified, say, done electronically. She also asked about the consequences of opting out of donating one organ and not others.
Read the full report in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.
