True Facts Regarding Organ Donation

In this globalization world, a lot of changes had been achieved. The changes include the thinking of society towards variety of matter. But still, organ donation which is a very noble act still not got 100 percent support from the community. Every time it came about organ donation, most of the people give a lot of negative impression instead of look at it at the good angle.

Every year 1,200 kidneys, 450 hearts, 250 livers and 700 corneas are needed in Malaysia. They are made up of 62 percent Chinese, 23 percent Indians and Malays 12 percent. Of this figure, 54 percent are women and 45 percent men. Although the number of people who have pledged organs seems high, the number of those who have actually donated their organs is far smaller. Parental objections, citing culture and religion, were among the reasons people did not donate their organs. Malaysian people are not well exposed to the actual fact addressed to the organ donation. Thus this issue always been clouded by myths and controversy by many side. Here is some information regarding this noble action.

Organ donation is the gift of ones body parts after death for the purpose of transplantation. Transplantation is an operation, which involves the replacement of diseased and defective organs & tissues with healthy ones from donors. Anyone, young and old can sign up to be a donor. Individuals below 18 years of age will need parental/guardian consent. The commonly transported organs are kidneys, heart, liver, lungs and pancreas while the transplantable tissues are eyes, bone, skin and heart valves. Thus a single donor can save the lives of a number of people since there are a lot donation can be made from one body.

The process of organ and tissue donation involves a sterile surgical operation undertaken by a skilled team of surgeons. There is no mutilation or disfiguration of the body. The donor is treated with utmost respect and dignity as in any operation. Following removal of the organs and tissues, the surgical wound will be closed just as in any other operation.

There are four different legislative approaches to the issue of organ donation. The first is called the consent solution. This allows organs to be taken only if the patient has consented to this procedure, usually in writing, during his lifetime. The extended consent solution allows next of kin or family members to give permission after the death of the patient. The dissent solution allows the organs to be taken if the patient has not specifically said they did not want it done during their lifetime. The extended dissent solution allows it to be done as long as the family does not specifically dissent after the death of the patient. Each of these approaches has been adopted by various countries around the world.

Many people take religion factor as the main reason for not donating organ. But the fact is that all the major religions of the world -- Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism endorse organ & tissue donation as the ultimate act of charity and benevolence. These religions encouraged their follower to do such act that could help and save other peoples life.

Most parents object their children from donating their organ mainly because they worry the effect on the dead body. But actually organs are removed by careful incisions and surgical procedures and the wounds are carefully closed just liked been stated above. Many people think that organ donation leaves body disfigured. This is the major worry for the donator families as they would like to have the body in the best possible condition for a funeral. When the organs are harvested from the body, it is done in such a way that the appearance of the body is not changed for the funeral service. Clothes cover much of the body during a funeral anyway, and the eyes are sewn closed, so it will not be noticeable if you donated organs.

I hope this article can change your view towards this issue. Organ donation is the ultimate humanitarian act of charity. This treatment helps save lives of people. You don’t have to be a doctor to save other’s lives. The ethical issues are complex, and each person must make his own decision, but it is helpful to fully understand the difference between the facts and the myths in order to make the right personal decision.

Posted by : Ummi Hajar Ahmad