GEORGE TOWN: The latest statistics from the National Transplant Resource Centre show that although the number of Malaysians who are pledged organ donors is high, the actual number of organ donations has plunged over the last three years.
In 2015, there were 71 organ donations made nationwide, but this decreased to 39 in 2016. A mere 17 organ donations have been made so far this year.
Penang's Transplant Resource Centre chairman Datuk Dr Zahari Noor said that one of the main stumbling blocks to organ donation in the country is families unaware that their deceased loved ones are pledged donors, and would therefore forbid doctors from carrying out organ removal.
"Most of the time, family members (are not aware about the arrangement), so the funeral is conducted as usual.
"Moreover, in Malaysia, family members of the deceased still have a say over whether their organs can be donated or not.
“Hence, the reason why there is a huge gap between pledgers and actual organ donors," Dr Zahari told newsmen after attending the Fun Walk, held in conjunction with the state-level Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week, at Lebuh Pantai here on Sunday.
According to the statistics, until July 31 this year, 393,221 people nationwide have pledged to donate their organs upon their deaths.
In Penang, 42,270 people are pledged organ donors as of Aug 31 last year.