The Ministry of Health and Welfare today held an event urging the public to register as organ donors for the potential to give others a renewed chance at life.
There are more than 10,000 people waiting for organ donations, with an average of 3.3 people dying every day while awaiting a transplant, Taiwan Organ Sharing Registry and Patient Autonomy Promotion Center data showed.
In response, the ministry and Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital held an event today calling on people to sign up online.
Photo: CNA
Huang En-chin (黃恩芹), a lung donation recipient, attended the event and spoke of her gratitude for the donor who saved her life.
Huang developed pulmonary fibrosis in 2023, and within a month, her condition worsened to the point that she needed an oxygen tank to keep breathing, she said.
After receiving a lung transplant, Huang recovered to the point that now she can ride a bicycle again, she said, thanking her “angel” for giving her a second chance at life.
Minister of Health and Welfare Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) said that over the years, thousands have benefited from improvements in Taiwan’s organ donation systems.
Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital has world-class equipment and personnel, Chiu said.
If more people sign up as organ donors, it would undoubtedly benefit even more patients, he said, adding that it would also benefit hospitals by enabling them to provide even more high-quality care.
In response to questions about allegations of an unnamed hospital performing an illegal organ donation surgery, Chiu said the issue is under review.
Discussions between the ministry and the center have taken place, he said, adding that future discussions are scheduled with the Ministry of Justice.
A preliminary consensus has already been reached, but certain conditions must be met, and related regulations and procedures would continue to be reviewed, he said.
Organ donations are complex processes, hospital director Chen Chien-tsung (陳建宗) said.
However, it can also help people reclaim their lives, Chen said, citing Huang as an example.
Chen also thanked Chiu, the ministry and the government for efforts in helping improve Taiwan’s medical industry, while acknowledging that public complaints cannot be resolved all at once.
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