Organ transplants: Donation rates still low

Number of kidney and liver transplants held back by strict criteria for donation and high rate of cardiac deaths

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Mohamad Fardeen Altaf was only 10 when he was diagnosed with acute liver failure. He was at risk of dying and needed a new liver. Altaf’s uncle, though not related by blood, was found to be a suitable donor and, without a second thought, agreed to th
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Last year saw the highest number of deceased donor kidney and liver transplants performed in Singapore in a decade, but the overall organ transplant rate still lags behind that of many developed countries.

While broadening the Human Organ Transplant Act (Hota) has included more potential donors, the number of transplants carried out is held back by factors like the strict criteria to donate under Hota and the taboo of death in Asian societies, which hampers discussion of organ donation, said doctors.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 26, 2018, with the headline Organ transplants: Donation rates still low. Subscribe