Committee on Promotion of Organ Donation discusses way forward to enlist more support at eighth meeting (with photo)
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The Chairperson of the Committee and Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi, said, "While the figures for organ donation and transplants depend on a number of factors, the attitude of the general public towards organ donation is the most important one. The Government is determined to inculcate a culture of organ donation in the community with a view to reducing the reluctance or hesitation of individuals and family members in donating organs."
While giving a briefing to the meeting, a representative from the Department of Health (DH) said, "Both the system and the webpage of the Centralised Organ Donation Register underwent a major revamp. The revamped system was launched on April 28. Upon the revamp, members of the public can now choose to register online using 'iAM Smart' or in person by presenting their Hong Kong identity cards for identity verification on the spot, on top of the pre-existing options of registering online, by post or in person followed by subsequent identity verification via phone.
"During the current-term Government, the DH has made continuous efforts to promote organ donation via multiple means, including promotion on various media channels, engaging key opinion leaders, organising activities to celebrate Organ Donation Day in November each year and setting up promotion booths at different events and venues. Looking forward, the DH will continue to boost the organ donation promotion effort by revamping the organ donation thematic website within this year and planning promotion activities for Organ Donation Day 2022 to rekindle the public's passion in organ donation."
A representative from the Hospital Authority (HA) also reported its work on organ donation promotion and organ transplants, including the latest updates in the Paired Kidney Donation Pilot Programme, at the meeting.
The HA representative said, "Upon enactment of the Human Organ Transplant (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 in July 2018, the HA launched the Pilot Programme to increase the chance of finding a compatible living donated kidney through exchange between incompatible pairs. The first paired kidney donation operation was successfully performed in August 2021. The HA will keep reviewing the current cases and consolidating experience of paired kidney donation to explore future extension of paired donation programmes."
At the meeting, the Committee members expressed views on issues such as the promotion of the "Endless Love" Memorial Garden as well as the optimisation of organ donation promotion efforts and messaging.
The Food and Health Bureau, the DH and the HA will thoroughly study the recommendations proposed by the members and continue working with different parties in society to enhance the promotion of organ donation.
Dr Chui also expressed his gratitude for the contributions and efforts of Committee members to promote organ donation. He said he hopes that the Committee members will continue to give their full support to the next-term Government.
Established in April 2016, the Committee is responsible for formulating strategies and directions for organ donation promotion, co-ordinating activities for promoting and facilitating organ donation, and formulating programmes and activities to encourage and educate the public on organ donation.
Ends/Thursday, June 23, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:26
Issued at HKT 16:26
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