Secretary for Health enlists LegCo to call on public support for organ donations (with photos)
7.6.2023

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, joined by the Legislative Council (LegCo) President and Members, called on continued support from the public for organ donations in an event held for the same good cause at the LegCo Complex today (June 7). He reiterated that organ transplants are still the best chance for many patients with end-stage organ failures to live a new life. Members of the public showing their willingness to donate organs by registering on the Centralised Organ Donation Register (CODR) ( www.codr.gov.hk ) carry great significance to patients awaiting organ donations and their families. Professor Lo said, "Despite the rapid advances in medical development, organ transplants remain the only hope for rekindling the lives of many patients with end-stage organ failures. At present, over 2 600 patients with organ failures in Hong Kong are waiting for organ transplants. Among them, most are waiting for kidney transplants and the average waiting time for a cadaveric kidney transplant is about five years, with the longest reaching 29 years. The average waiting time for patients queuing for heart, lung and liver transplants is about two to three years. Many of these patients indeed passed away while waiting." Hong Kong has been adopting an "opt-in" system for cadaveric organ donations. Members of the public may indicate their wish to donate organs by registering on the CODR. The registration number of the CODR has increased from 45 150 in 2009 to over 350 000 now, reflecting the strong support for organ donations from the general public. Nevertheless, according to the projection of the Thematic Household Survey Report No. 74 published in 2021, over 1.3 million people indicated that they are willing to donate their organs after death. The figure shows a huge discrepancy with the CODR registration figure, implying that quite a number of kind-hearted persons have yet to put their thoughts into action. "Organ donation is a selfless and generous act of benevolence to save lives. Registration through the CODR is an effective means to clearly indicate to family members and medical staff one's wish for an organ donation," Professor Lo added. The Department of Health (DH) has set up an organ donation promotion booth on the ground floor of the LegCo Complex for operation from 10am to 5.30pm today and from 9am to 5pm tomorrow till next Tuesday (June 13), except Saturday and Sunday. Members of the public are welcome to visit for registration. Moreover, members of the public may register by themselves via the CODR website any time, anywhere. If citizens opt for online registration via "iAM Smart", they can even have their identity validated during the application process at ease in no time. Furthermore, the DH has also set up a booth to promote organ donations at the Central Government Offices this week to enable government personnel to register on the CODR and encourage them to spread the message for supporting organ donations to their families and friends. The Government will, in collaboration with community partners, continue to spare no effort in advocating organ donations in different aspects by strengthening public education and promotion through a multi-pronged approach in a bid to cultivate a receptive and respectful culture for organ donations, such that more patients awaiting an organ transplant will be given a new lease of life, and their families will be filled with joy again. For more information on organ donations, members of the public may visit the thematic website at www.organdonation.gov.hk or the "Organ Donation@HK" Facebook page at www.facebook.com/organdonationhk .