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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg |
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MOH Seeks Public Feedback On
Proposed Amendments To The Human Organ Transplant Act |
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The Ministry of Health (MOH) is proposing
three amendments to the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA). They are: |
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(a) Lift the upper age limit for cadaveric
organ donation; |
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(b) Allow donor-recipient paired matching
for exchanges of organs; and |
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(c) Compensate living donors according to
international ethical practices. |
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MOH is seeking views and feedback from the public as well as healthcare
professionals and stakeholders from the healthcare industry on the
proposals. The Consultation Paper and the draft amendments are available
on the MOH website at www.MOH.gov.sg
and can also be accessed at the Government Online Consultation Portal at
www.REACH.gov.sg. |
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SAVING MORE LIVES |
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The proposed amendments are aimed at raising
organ transplantation rates to save more lives and at protecting the
welfare of living donors. |
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HOTA currently limits cadaveric donors
to those below 60 years of age. With improved health and longer
expectancy of life, some older persons can be suitable donors. The
removal of the age limit is also in line with international
practice. The proposed amendments could provide up to 10 or 12
additional organ donors per year. |
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Paired matching is a way of matching
living donors with compatible recipients across two or more
donor-recipient pairs who are incompatible within the pair. The
recipients essentially exchange donors so that each recipient can
receive a medically suitable organ. With paired matching, more
patients can now receive organs. Paired matching also enables
donor-recipient matches which are more medically compatible for
improved transplant outcomes. |
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To protect the welfare of living donors,
MOH is proposing that these donors be compensated for direct costs
incurred as a result of the donation, and indirect losses such as
lost earnings and future expenses due to the donation. The
compensation framework will be in line with international and local
ethical recommendations. |
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HOTA will continue to prohibit the
buying and selling of organs. To protect donors and recipients from
exploitation by unscrupulous middlemen, MOH is proposing to raise
the penalties to deter organ trading syndicates and unscrupulous
middlemen. |
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Public consultation |
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The Ministry would be seeking the
public’s feedback on the proposed amendments to HOTA in the
following areas: |
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(a) Should HOTA be amended to lift the
upper age limit for presumed consent for cadaveric organ donation? |
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(b) Should HOTA be amended to allow
paired matching for exchange of organs between donor-recipient
pairs? |
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(c) Should HOTA be amended to provide
reasonable compensation to support the welfare of living donors? |
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(d) Should HOTA be amended to increase
the penalties for organ trading syndicates and middlemen? |
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All feedback should reach the Ministry
by 15 December 2008. All feedback and comments should be addressed
to: |
"Feedback on Proposed Amendments to HOTA"
Ministry of Health, Singapore
College of Medicine Building
16 College Road
Singapore 169854
E mail: MOH_HOTA@moh.gov.sg
Fax: 6325 1686 |
Ministry of Health
12 November 2008 |
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Source:
www.moh.gov.sg Press Release 14
Nov 2008 |
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FrontPage Edition: Fri 14 Nov 2008
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