Achieving greater acceptance of HOTA

23 Feb 2007, The Straits Times

Question

Name of the Person: Loke Siew Meng

Achieving greater acceptance of HOTA

Opting out of organ-transplant scheme should be made easier 

I refer to the recent incident over the Human Organ Transplant Act (Hota). The implementation of Hota came about partly because the previous scheme MTERA (Medical Therapy, Education and Research Act), which goes by the opt-in scheme for those who wish to donate their organs, was not successful mainly due to ignorance and lethargy on the part of potential donors. Hence, Hota was conceived as an opt-out system whereby all non-Muslim Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents between the age of 21 and 60 years are included under unless they opt out. The objective of the Act is good. However, the implementation of the opt-out scheme should be made easier and more transparent. Currently, the forms to opt out can be obtained from public hospitals and polyclinics or downloaded from the Internet. However, they have to be sent by post to the Organ Donor Registry. 

I suggest that people be allowed to submit such forms via the Internet and the Act be implemented in a way that makes opting out easier for those who wish to do so. Also, those who turn 21 may not be aware or may not remember to opt out when they are eligible to do so. Many do not even know of the existence of such an Act as it was introduced when they were young. The agency involved should consider writing to these individuals so that they can make a decision on an important matter later on. The success of Hota hinges on the legal rights of the society over the private rights of the family of the deceased. If the Act provides for the rights of the family members to object to the organ transplant, it would affect the very foundation and basis of the Act. Apart from considering the legal rights of individuals, the implementation of Hota should also be done with the utmost compassion and care for the feelings of the family of the deceased.

Reply

Name of the Person: Bey Mui Leng (Ms)

Assistant Director (Media Relations) Corporate Comunications

Ministry of Health  

We refer to the Forum letter (TODAY, 23 Feb 2007) by Loke Siew Meng on the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) who suggested that the Ministry should inform those who turn 21 about the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) as they might not be aware or may not remember to opt-out when they are eligible. 

Notification letters and an information booklet on HOTA are sent to all citizens and permanent residents about 6 months before they turn 21 years of age. The booklet also contains the objection form for those who wish to register an objection. Every year about 40,000 of such letters are despatched. The Ministry will work towards achieving greater acceptance of HOTA through more public education. We welcome feedback on how we can better reach out to Singaporeans on HOTA.