<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=596 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3 height=26></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=5> </TD><TD vAlign=top width=591 colSpan=2>S'pore studying how to reimburse those who donate their organs to strangers
By May Wong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 28 September 2008 1627 hrs
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Minister Khaw Boon Wan (file picture)</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD class=update> </TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
SINGAPORE: Singapore is studying how to reimburse those who donate their organs to non-related patients.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan revealed this to reporters after re-opening the Woodlands Polyclinic.
He said the reimbursement amounts have not been determined and more details will only be announced early next year.
That's when the Human Organ Trading Act (HOTA) will be amended.
Mr Khaw said the Health Ministry will study factors like the donor's age and the additional medical expenses incurred after donating the organ.
All these will help the government compute the appropriate reimbursement amounts.
He expects the reimbursement per donor to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Mr Khaw said two conditions have to be fulfilled to ensure a proper framework for live organ donations.
One is that the donor must be fully informed of consequences and risks and the other is to be offered suitable reimbursement for life.
Mr Khaw also said the National Kidney Foundation may be one non-government organisation who can contribute to the reimbursement amounts.
He said the foundation is studying how it can raise additional funds to support the donors and protect their welfare.
Mr Khaw pointed out that reimbursing live organ donors is a globally acceptable ethical thing to do.
This is better than leaving it to the black market where the donors are clearly exploited.
The minister recently visited a Philippine village where people sell their kidneys for monetary gain.
Mr Khaw made the trip while he was in the Philippines to attend a World Health Organisation meeting.
- CNA/ir
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
By May Wong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 28 September 2008 1627 hrs
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=260 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=right width=20> </TD><TD align=right width=240>
Minister Khaw Boon Wan (file picture)</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD class=update> </TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
SINGAPORE: Singapore is studying how to reimburse those who donate their organs to non-related patients.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan revealed this to reporters after re-opening the Woodlands Polyclinic.
He said the reimbursement amounts have not been determined and more details will only be announced early next year.
That's when the Human Organ Trading Act (HOTA) will be amended.
Mr Khaw said the Health Ministry will study factors like the donor's age and the additional medical expenses incurred after donating the organ.
All these will help the government compute the appropriate reimbursement amounts.
He expects the reimbursement per donor to be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Mr Khaw said two conditions have to be fulfilled to ensure a proper framework for live organ donations.
One is that the donor must be fully informed of consequences and risks and the other is to be offered suitable reimbursement for life.
Mr Khaw also said the National Kidney Foundation may be one non-government organisation who can contribute to the reimbursement amounts.
He said the foundation is studying how it can raise additional funds to support the donors and protect their welfare.
Mr Khaw pointed out that reimbursing live organ donors is a globally acceptable ethical thing to do.
This is better than leaving it to the black market where the donors are clearly exploited.
The minister recently visited a Philippine village where people sell their kidneys for monetary gain.
Mr Khaw made the trip while he was in the Philippines to attend a World Health Organisation meeting.
- CNA/ir
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