HOTA, Singapore's Opt-Out Organ Donor Program

[mesquite_tx1]

Hi SydneySider,

A thread has been started at the other forum - Relocating, Moving to Singapore > Announcement: Information on Permanent Resident. You might want to take a look over there.

But before you sign for your PR status, do bear in mind that you are also signing away your organs under the HOTA law in singapore. citizen or PR, your organs will be removed in the event of death for the purpose of transplantation. see http://www.moh.gov.sg/corp/systems/organ/hota/faqs.do

Be sure to opt-out of HOTA in case you end up like the 43-year-old crane operator who had his organs forcibly removed despite strong objection from the family members. read what the family has went thru (http://matrixisland.blogspot.com/2007/0 ... -want.html)

[sundaymorningstaple]

Bit of an over-reaction I would say. There is nothing wrong with HOTA. In fact because most people only deliver lip service, I see it as a good thing. What the hell are you going to do with them in the crematorium? I would rather be able to help someone if I could. I have had a organ donor card for the past 35 years.

Oh, by the way, you have to die IN THE HOSPITAL in order for HOTA to come into effect. (if you are muslim, you have to opt IN not out).

[EADG]

EXCELLENT link sms, thanks for putting that on your sig

[mesquite_tx1]

Agree - organ donation is for good cause. DEFINITELY.

BUT.. do spare a thought for your family. if you opt-out now, one day if you do pass on, your family could sign your organs for donation (think of it in a calm and sane condition when they do that). however, if you did not opt-out, they have no right to object to the doctors taking your organs despite if they beg and kneel. if they ended up reacting so violenting to the organ donation, please spare them further agony. do you want the police coming in to drag your mum and sisters away? its very sad, but its true.

I support organ donation, but in a humane way. I believe that is what the receiver of the organ want to see too.

if you read the letter from the deceased family [url]http://matrixisland.blogspot.com/2007/0 ... -want.html[/url], you will opt-out to protect your family.

Apologies if my previous posting is too harsh. I was back from visiting my hometown, and reading all the backlog newspapers, when I came across this article "Brain-dead man's kin in scuffle over op to remove organs" (The Straits Times, Home Section, page H1). It really sent me flying off the handle. Not only is it inhumane, its disrespecting the dead.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Not only is it inhumane, its disrespecting the dead.

If I do not opt out of HOTA it means that "I" am authorizing the government to remove any organs it sees fit (or usable) provided I die in the confines of a Hospital. It is my WISH. Therefore I find your statement above incorrect. If you do not take my usable organs, THAT is disrespecting the dead. It is my body to do with as "I" wish. Not my Family's. Sorry, but if you do not convey you wishes to your family, you have your reasons for doing so. But at the end of the day, it is still MY body to do with as "I" like. Oh yeah, ignorance is no excuse. HOTA has been around for quite a while and has been in the Papers whenever major changes have been implemented.

How is opting out "protecting my family"? My family has no business trying to change my wishes after I'm dead.

What, to me, is inhumane is the family fighting to do something against MY wishes after I'm dead.

[IceMilo]

Thanks mesquite_tx1 for this topic made.
Honestly, those staffs and police were really @#$!%. How can they lure the family members out and then rush into the room and send 沈智华 to the operation room.
This made me have the intention to opt out of HOTA.
By the way, read this.....

Are there any implications of opting out of HOTA?

People who opt out of the existing HOTA, as well as those who are not covered under the existing HOTA, will receive lower priority on the organ transplant waiting list, in the event that they should require an organ transplant in the future.

The revised HOTA provide for selective opting out. Those who do not wish to donate a particular organ can register their specific objections. People who opt-out of the revised HOTA, as well as those who are not covered under the revised HOTA, will receive lower priority on the waiting lists for the specific organs which they have opted out or have not pledged.

Muslims can pledge their kidneys under MTERA and receive equal priority on the kidney transplant list as other Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who have not opt out of HOTA.

So my advise is to download the form, keep it with you. Till the day you know you will be sleeping peacefully soon, take out the form then make the decision.

[mesquite_tx1]

It is my body to do with as "I" wish. Not my Family's.

In US, I can choose to WANT to be a donor, however doctors have to ask permission from the next of kin in the event that I pass on (i have to stress "ask permission", not restrained by law enforcement). This is not the case in singapore, where citizens and PR are automatically deemed to give permission whether it's your wishes or not.

in singapore, let's say you opt-out, your family may still choose to donate your organs on your behalf. however, if you didn't opt-out (ignorance, fail to communicate, whatever the excuse), your family cannot choose not to donate.

organ donation is a noble deed. if we're on the receiving end, we will want the donor and the family be treated with utmost respect, for giving a second chance to new life.

[sundaymorningstaple]

It is my body to do with as "I" wish. Not my Family's.

In US, I can choose to WANT to be a donor, however doctors have to ask permission from the next of kin in the event that I pass on (i have to stress "ask permission", not restrained by law enforcement). This is not the case in singapore, where citizens and PR are automatically deemed to give permission whether it's your wishes or not.

in singapore, let's say you opt-out, your family may still choose to donate your organs on your behalf. however, if you didn't opt-out (ignorance, fail to communicate, whatever the excuse), your family cannot choose not to donate.

organ donation is a noble deed. if we're on the receiving end, we will want the donor and the family be treated with utmost respect, for giving a second chance to new life.

As I've said earlier, I've been a card carrying organ donor for 35 years. That includes 10 years in the US before I came to Singapore. (I'm a Yank as well).

In Singapore, if I opt-out my family MAY NOT choose to donate my organs as it was MY wish to OPT OUT. It is not up to my family to decide. It is for ME to decide. What part don't you seem to be able to comprehend? Is it the part where the government is eliminating the "going to do it" syndrome where people only give lip service to organ donation? Yeah man, I going to volunteer to be an organ donor! (But never quite gets around to it because of whatever reason). Apathy is a problem here on this small island (not just here). Therefore, by using the opt-out method, you don't have to remember to sign up. There is not any reason to cry ignorance unless you are blind and deaf.

So, if you get whacked in the US and nobody can immediately contact your next of kin, it's just a waste of possibly usable organs? Even though you have specifically said it's okay with you by having an organ donor card? Sorry, I think this way makes much more practical sense.

Having said all that, I do agree that the situation could have been handled a bit better in the case mentioned. But, surely you know (hoping anyway - but not sure after reading your posts) the there is a very short time frame for harvesting organs. It would be a shame for someone who wanted to generously donate their organs to be thwarted by some stupid bickering relatives/family members who do not respect your wishes.


http://www.moh.gov.sg/corp/systems/organ/hota/faqs.do

How is the public informed about HOTA?
Currently, Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents who turn 21 years of age, or foreigners who obtain Singapore citizenship or permanent residence status will receive a letter from MOH informing them that they will be included under HOTA. They are also told that they can opt out if they object to having their organs removed upon death. MOH also informs the general public of HOTA twice a year through the main local newspapers in the 4 official languages.

With the passage of the Human Organ (Amendment) Bill, the Ministry embarked on a 6-month publicity campaign on the revised HOTA. The Ministry of Health also sent information brochures on the revised HOTA to every household.

For persons who have previously objected to the removal of their kidneys under HOTA, their objections are still valid. However, they would have to opt out for the other organs if they do not wish to donate them upon their death.

[carteki]

So my advise is to download the form, keep it with you. Till the day you know you will be sleeping peacefully soon, take out the form then make the decision.

Not a good idea as most organ donations come from healthy individuals who died unexpectedly - car accidents and the like. It is very unlikely that they'll take old and / or diseased organs.

I'm with SMS on this one. Unless you have very specific religious objections it is quite selfish NOT to be an organ donor. If organ donation is the last thing I can do to help another person on this planet then I glad would do so and having had an adult discussion with my family they all understand how I feel on this matter. If he'd managed to find a dead donor organ

PS Useless bit of information - studies have been done in countries that have opt in vs opt out donation requirements. It turns out that the % of people who opt in in (in countries where this is the case) is very similar to the % of people who opt out (where people are deemed to be opted in)

[Strong Eagle]

Erm... Carteki... five years old post... slow day?

[carteki]

Confused - it popped up in the "read the posts since last visit" search so I didn't think to check the date! Perhaps the mods deleted an advert?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Wasn't me, but that's usually how they end up at the top of the heap temporarily.

[nutnut]

Came up in mine too, but I read the date