By Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 26: Around 4,000 Sarawakians are currently relying on life-sustaining dialysis treatments, with about half fit to receive kidney transplant, but their hopes are overshadowed by a grim reality as organ donor registrations in Sarawak have dropped by about 30 per cent every year since 2022.
Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) Head of Organ Procurement Coordinator Unit (UPOH), Dr Uma Ramadass, revealed this during ShallWeeTalk live session with Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng today.
“There is a growing need, but not enough donors. While transplant surgery does carry risks, it offers a chance at a normal life. Survival rates after kidney transplants are very high, and far better than the long-term complications or eventual death from prolonged dialysis,” she said.
Dr Uma also highlighted a staggering nationwide statistic of more than 10,000 Malaysians are currently on the waiting list for kidney, liver, lung, or heart transplants, with kidney cases making up the majority.
She explained that this is due to the rising number of end-stage renal failure diagnoses across the country with about 15 to 20 new cases every day.
“That’s a sad and shocking truth. But this is the reality for Malaysia,” she said.
The UPOH unit at SGH was established in 2022 to focus on organ donation and procurement, in response to the increasing number of Malaysians suffering from organ failure.
Dr Uma shared that even in tragic incidents such as fatal road accidents, which occur daily, many potential donor opportunities are lost, often due to lack of public awareness or failure to obtain family consent.
“One deceased donor can save up to eight lives. Just two functioning kidneys can free two patients from dialysis, and their freed-up dialysis slots can go to two new patients. That’s already four lives impacted from one donor,” Dr Uma pointed out.
Although organ donation has long been practiced in Malaysia, Sarawak’s donor numbers have fallen drastically in recent years.
“In 2015, we had three donors. Last year, only two. After 2015, I think with Covid and everything else, it just tapered off. There was nearly a decade with no donations at all,” she said.
Before 2022, Malaysians could pledge to donate organs via physical donor cards. That year, the introduction of digital pledging through the MySejahtera app led to a spike in registrations. But since then, registrations have declined steadily by about 30 per cent each year. “We’re not sure why,” she said.
A major barrier, she said, is the general misunderstanding of how organ donation works and the strict medical criteria required for someone to become a donor.
“Out of 10,000 people who sign up, maybe only one ends up becoming an actual donor. Not everyone qualifies. Family consent is essential, and the donor must not have infectious diseases like HIV, advanced cancer, or autoimmune conditions such as SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus),” she explained.
“That’s why it’s not easy, you have to be the chosen one. Regardless of your religion, if it’s meant to be, God will choose you to save up to eight lives.”
In Malaysia, individuals can register as organ or tissue donors through MySejahtera by providing personal details and naming a next-of-kin. However, under the Human Tissues Act 1974, the family has the final say, even if the deceased had pledged to donate.
“Which is why it’s so important to inform your family of your decision,” she stressed.
Dr Uma added that Sarawak continues to depend heavily on kidney donations from outside the State.
“Since 2019 or 2020, eight to nine Sarawakians have received kidneys from donors in Peninsular Malaysia or Sabah. Locally, however, only about two kidneys were donated during that time.”
Dispelling common misconceptions, she reaffirmed that organ donation transcends race and religion.
“Only mankind can save mankind. Until now, there’s no technology or innovation that allows us to use animal kidneys or artificial organs as substitutes. But as humans, we can give others a second chance in life and leave a lasting legacy,” she said.
Members of the public who wish to learn more about organ donation are encouraged to visit the UPOH unit at the main lobby of SGH. Dr Uma also welcomes invitations to conduct awareness talks in schools, workplaces, and community spaces to dispel myths and promote open dialogue on the importance of organ donation. — DayakDaily
