General : MOH Records 102 Deceased Organ Donors From January To August

In 2026, Malaysia has recorded 102 deceased organ donors from January to August, marking an increase from the 89 donors in 2025. This equates to approximately 1.3 donors per million population, demonstrating a growing public awareness of organ donation's importance. However, the nation still lags behind international standards, with countries like the UAE and Spain boasting acceptance rates of 20 to 30 per million population.

Deputy Director-General of Health (Medical) Datuk Dr Azman Yacob revealed that as of July, 12,575 patients are still waiting for new organs. The theme for this year's National Organ Donation Awareness Week (MKPO) 2026, "Warisku, Hormati Ikrarku" (My Heirs, Honour My Pledge), emphasizes the importance of honoring a deceased person's wish to donate organs, which relies heavily on family support and understanding.

Despite 450,000 individuals being registered donors, actual donations remain low due to families having the final say on the matter. Dr Azman highlighted that raising awareness among family members is crucial to honoring the donor's wishes. Terengganu was chosen as the host for this year's MKPO due to its progress in organ and tissue donation across East Coast states.

The Health Ministry aims to boost the number of actual organ donors through various measures, including establishing the National Transplant Council for better coordination. The ministry will also engage with institutions across religions to help the public better understand organ donation, dispelling any confusion over religious requirements.