Strengthens National Transplant System, Raises Awareness On Organ Donation
The final installment of this three-part series on organ donation examines the role of the National Transplant Centre in shaping policy, strengthening governance, and coordinating transplantation efforts nationwide, alongside the government’s initiatives to raise public awareness.
In Malaysia today, over 10,000 patients are on organ transplant waiting lists, hoping for a chance to stay alive through a new organ.
Having suffered organ failure, their lives are hanging in the balance as transplantation can only proceed when a suitable donor is available and all required criteria are met. In many cases, patients do not receive a new organ in time.
According to the National Transplant Centre (NTC), there are two main categories of organ donors: living donors, who donate organs such as a kidney or part of the liver; and deceased donors, involving individuals who have been declared brain dead.
As of March 2026, a total of 424,333 people in the country have pledged to become organ donors. However, according to the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), only a small proportion ultimately have their intention fulfilled.
LONG WAIT
NTC director Dr Mohd Syafiq Ismail Azman said organ donation cannot occur automatically and is only possible under specific circumstances, even in cases involving registered donors who are brain dead.
This is because under the Human Tissues Act 1974 – which governs the procurement of cadaveric organs for various purposes, including transplantation – consent from the next of kin is needed before organs can be retrieved from a deceased individual.
“Beyond clinical suitability, organ donation ultimately depends on family consent, and this remains a major challenge we face. Even if a person has pledged to be an organ donor during their lifetime, approval from the next of kin is still required for donation after death,” he said in a written interview with Bernama.
These factors, he noted, contribute to the long waiting times faced by many patients on transplant lists.
“For heart transplants, some patients may wait up to 14 years, while for kidneys, the waiting period ranges from about 10 to 13 years,” he said.
He added that waiting times depend not only on organ availability but also on strict clinical criteria such as blood type compatibility, organ size and the recipient’s overall health. As such, recipients are selected based on rigorous clinical matching.
Geographical factors also play a role as certain organs must be transplanted within a limited time frame.
“For example, a kidney can remain viable for only about 24 hours after being removed from a donor’s body. It must be preserved in a special solution at a controlled temperature while awaiting transplantation,” he explained.
In this context, support from other agencies is critical, particularly in terms of logistics, he said, adding that in the past, there had been collaborations with the police, Malaysian Armed Forces and Fire and Rescue Department in transporting organs.
“Without swift and well-coordinated efforts like these, organs that could save lives may deteriorate and ultimately go to waste,” he said.
WHY FAMILIES WITHHOLD CONSENT
Elaborating on why most families of deceased donors decline consent, Dr Mohd Syafiq Ismail said the main reasons include uncertainty about the deceased’s wishes, concerns about the physical condition of the body, and a desire to expedite funeral arrangements.
There are also misunderstandings related to religious considerations and the perception that organ donation may compromise the dignity of the body. In this regard, the National Fatwa Committee has ruled that organ donation is permissible.
“Emotional factors play a significant role as well. When death occurs suddenly, family members are often in shock and grief, making it difficult for them to make major decisions within a short period.
“All these circumstances are consistent with what we commonly observe in hospitals, where communication with families must be handled with sensitivity,” he said.
He also said to raise public awareness on organ donation, MOH has implemented various campaigns, including an initiative by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, titled ‘My Family, Honour My Pledge’.
Advising registered donors to discuss their decision with their families, Dr Mohd Syafiq Ismail said Malaysia currently practises an “opt-in” system, where individuals voluntarily register as an organ donor during their lifetime.
“Those who wish to become organ donors can register through the MySejahtera application by following the instructions provided. Registration is simple, and the donor card is stored electronically within the app,” he added.
VOLUNTARY ACT
Addressing a common public misconception that organ donation involves high costs and generates profits for hospitals, Dr Mohd Syafiq Ismail said Malaysia has laws to prevent the exploitation of organ donation.
In addition to the Human Tissues Act, organ donation in Malaysia is governed by several other laws, including the Medical Act 1971 and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Act 2022.
“In organ donation practice, recipients are also prohibited from offering any form of reward to the donor’s family, in line with ethical principles that uphold organ donation as a voluntary act free from commercialisation,” he explained.
He added that to increase organ donation rates over the next five to 10 years, MOH is strengthening the National Organ Donation and Transplant Programme that was announced this year as a strategic effort to save more lives.
A key initiative under the programme is the rebranding of the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC) as the National Transplant Centre (NTC), which is part of a broader transformation to elevate organ donation as a national agenda.
The ministry also plans to establish a National Transplant Council to enhance governance in the sector, while optimising resources through strategic collaboration between the public and private sectors. A review of the Human Tissues Act is also underway to strengthen protection for living donors and to standardise organ donation and transplantation procedures nationwide.
Other initiatives to highlight organ donation include organising awareness campaigns, public talks and health exhibitions.
“In 2025 alone, a total of 66 awareness programmes were carried out nationwide. These efforts are ongoing and often conducted by invitation from various parties, while also leveraging multiple platforms such as mass media, mobile applications and printed materials,” Dr Mohd Syafiq Ismail added.
NTC is also expanding outreach through collaboration with the National Blood Centre. Engagement sessions have also been held with various non-governmental organisations, including groups such as Kiwanis and transplant-related associations, as part of a phased effort to strengthen multiagency strategic cooperation.
All these initiatives, he said, are aimed at ensuring the public receives accurate information, thus reducing misconceptions and ultimately building greater trust in the organ donation system.
