Organ donation pledges in Sarawak surge

KUCHING: The number of organ donor pledgers in Sarawak has been steadily increasing, a positive development in the state.
 
In stating this, Women, Early Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said that such a matter was reported by the Organ Procurement Unit of the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH).
 
In an effort to further increase the number of pledgers, she added that Persatuan Pembangunan Insan Sarawak (PPIS) took the initiative to organise a blood donation drive programme while spreading awareness about organ donation.
 
“It is undeniable that a lot of people still do not know or are apprehensive about the misconceptions about organ donation.
 
“Therefore, with this programme, it will clear up some misconceptions about being an organ donor,” she said.
 
She said this when officiating the blood donation drive at Everrise Departmental Store in Mile 4 today (April 7).
 
Elaborating, she said the committee members in the unit are lending a helping hand to spread awareness to the public.
 
“I was made to know that the committee had also received input from religious bodies on the matter. Hence, from a religious point of view, there are processes and procedures that need to be followed.
 
“I was assured that when it is done, it will not have as much of a physical impact as what the common misconceptions had portrayed,” she said.
 
In light of this, Fatimah commended PPIS for organising such a session for the public.
 
“If we want it (organ donation) to be successful, we have to address the misconceptions and explain the procedures, including whether it will affect the donors physically and if it contradicts in terms of religion and whatnot.
 
“With the needed explanation, the public will surely be able to make a decision that will favour the objective.
 
“With that, we hope that there will be more people who will come forward to be organ donor pledgers,” she said, adding that there were seven people who came forward to be pledgers last month.
 
Commenting on the event, Fatimah said the programme was organised to increase blood supplies for patients in need.
 
“Blood supply is needed every day, regardless of whether it is during the fasting month or not, because accidents, surgeries, and others require blood transfusions.
 
“Therefore, we commend the efforts made by PPIS in collaboration with Everrise to carry out such an activity for the benefit of the community,” she said.