Anyone has the potential to be an organ donor. The criteria to determine if an organ is suitable for donation is based on a set of medical standards and not dependant on age or gender.
In Singapore, Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents above the age of 21 and above, and are not mentally disordered, are included under the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA). HOTA allows for organs (kidney, liver, heart and cornea) to be donated in the event of death for the purpose of transplantation
Over the years, HOTA has been widened in scope so as to grow the organ donor pool. This has meant more people waiting on the transplant list have successfully gotten a life-saving organ. Despite the widening of HOTA so more organs can be retrieved from deceased persons, hundreds of people are still waiting for an organ to become available. This is where living organ donation comes in, an area also under the regulation of HOTA. Living organ donation further increases the chance that a suitable kidney or liver can be found.
Anyone can also volunteer to be a living organ donor as long as you are above 21 years of age. This selfless act will extend the life of your loved one. Speak to his/her medical team to learn more about how to be evaluated as a potential donor.
To be a living organ donor, you need to be free of chronic disease and undergo a series of tests. Read about the donor assessment process
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