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Organ Donation and Medical POA

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sierra2469alpha
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Organ Donation and Medical POA

Post by sierra2469alpha » Fri, 20 Mar 2009 5:57 pm

Hey gang - we're registered in our home country with a rather good little idea called organ donation. This means that if my wife or I pass away, and one of us cannot be contacted, there is a central registration of organ donors, so basically they can cut out any bits and give them for transplant.

We're from Australia, and I have chased this up from the AUS authorities, but they cannot enlighten me as to what happens if we, say for example, die from gin poisoning (!) over here. Is there a central register here in SIN for the same concept - that is, donation of organs on pronouncement of death?

Secondly, medical power of attorney. In effect, my good lady wife and I have a medical power of attorney lodged with both our home doctors and our solicitiors and family. In the event that say, I become brain comatose due to gin (!) and my GCS levels are the same for >36 hours, this document gives the right to the doctor treating me to turn off any life support, without my wife's consent. Before you ask, we did this because we are often away from each other on travel, so we don't want any difficulties. We just want our respective wishes understood and acted upon.

Without resorting to finding a solicitor, I tried searching (in vain) for any info from our government here in SIN, but didn't have much luck.

Have any of you got a similar setup, or have any ideas how we might be able to do this, or at least make our requests recognised?

Any suggestion would be most welcome, and I might even buy you a virtual gin :)

Thanks in advance, Mr. P and Ms. C

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Post by Strong Eagle » Fri, 20 Mar 2009 6:42 pm

Can you be a piano donor as well??

I think you get this problem solved with a couple of documents: A medical power of attorney and a directive to physicians. We have done these both in the US and Singapore (using an SG attorney). They are virtually identical. Same stuff as you... when to unplug me... no heroic attempts to save the corpse.

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Post by sierra2469alpha » Fri, 20 Mar 2009 6:59 pm

SE - cheers - so you took your US documents into a SIN attorney and ...?? Did they have to redo them?

Also, how about the little cards we carry saying we're donors? Or is there, as asked, a central registry? Having been a paramedic in my time, and seen some pretty awful states of the human body, I'm wondering how it works here if they cannot postively ID your wishes?

Thanks, mate - good work as always...P

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:43 pm

If you have PR, you are in for a shock! Check out the link in my signature for HOTA under "Health Informations - Gov't". As as PR, don't worry about it, your body already belongs to the government if you kick the bucket. I did the same as SE a long time ago. Now it doesn't matter with HOTA.

What does matter is the ban on using mechanical means to keep the body alive, and the guidelines set out on what they can do and what they can't. I cannot/will not have any mechanical intervention what-so-ever unless I am conscious and authorize it myself. Once I lapse into unconsciousness, no intervention.

I've been an organ donor for over 35 years now in the US and here as well for 25. They can harvest all they want and cremate the balance. If they don't want anything and won't cremate me then they can put me in the coffin face down so the world can kiss my arse! :P

[quote="HUMAN ORGAN TRANSPLANT ACT"]REMOVAL OF ORGAN AFTER DEATH

Authorities may remove organ after death
5. —(1) The designated officer of a hospital may, subject to and in accordance with this section, authorise, in writing, the removal of any organ from the body of a person who has died in the hospital for the purpose of the transplantation of the organ to the body of a living person.

(2) No authority shall be given under subsection (1) for the removal of the organ from the body of any deceased person —

(a) who has during his lifetime registered his objection with the Director to the removal of the organ from his body after his death;

(b) who is neither a citizen nor a permanent resident of Singapore;

(c) who is below 21 years of age unless the parent or guardian has consented to such removal;

(d) who is above 60 years of age; or

(e) whom the designated officer, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, has reason to believe was not of sound mind, unless the parent or guardian has consented to such removal.

(f) Deleted by Act 2/2008, wef 01/08/2008.

(3) In this section, “permanent resident”
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by sierra2469alpha » Sat, 21 Mar 2009 8:22 am

SMS - crikey - thanks for the effort on that one.

We're not PR - just P1...

Cheers, P

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Post by sundaymorningstaple » Sat, 21 Mar 2009 10:55 am

P, I mentioned PR as quite a few on here are always looking at PR. I believe you were discussing it at one point as well? So most tend to look for the advantages and with the exception of NS most tend to skim over the other little bits but as you see, it's all out there for all to read. Caveat Emptor! Like any contract, the buyer MUST read the fine print (all of it).

:wink:

sms
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO TURN BACK THEIR ODOMETERS. NOT ME. I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHY I LOOK THIS WAY. I'VE TRAVELED A LONG WAY, AND SOME OF THE ROADS WEREN'T PAVED. ~ Will Rogers

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Post by sierra2469alpha » Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:13 am

SMS - yes understood, however if one is not PR, then I am wondering if we should do as SE suggested? I am at a loss to understand how the doctor would know that I elected to be an organ donor, however. I guess letting our insurance company know also? Thanks for your replies, very enlightening.

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Post by yoongf » Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:29 am

This may be relavent in Sg's context: Advance Medical Directive.

http://www.lawsociety.org.sg/public/you ... ctive.aspx

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Post by sierra2469alpha » Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:45 pm

Thanks all for your replies :) Can always count on good ones here :) Mr. P

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