SINGAPORE: On the issue of legalising non-related living organ donation, one health policy analyst has suggested providing free medical insurance for organ donors and to only allow donations from Singaporeans for a start.

32-year-old Jenny gave the gift of life when she donated a kidney to her cousin last month. She is one of the few living related organ donors in Singapore.

According to the Health Ministry (MOH), there are 30 living related kidney donations each year, while some 20 Singaporeans go overseas for kidney transplants.

Associate Professor Phua Kai Hong from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy's Health Policy and Management said more can be done to get family members to donate organs to their loved ones, and one way is to offer them comprehensive health insurance for life.

"In case they need medical help and follow-up care, there would be an open-ended medical insurance coverage. This person who gives the organ may need one later on... We should also compensate those extended family members to allay their fears," said Dr Phua.

He added that a reasonable compensation for a kidney is about S$40,000, which will reimburse the donor for loss of income, inconveniences and opportunity costs.

Dr Phua said all eyes will certainly be on Singapore when it legalises non-related living organ donations.

"If there's any country that could do it well, it would be Singapore. I think it needs to be very tightly regulated... It's not based on income alone, so it's not just the rich who will benefit from the poor, but it will go into a pool of people who qualify and using very clear criteria based on need, we should then allocate priority.

"I think we should start off with Singaporeans and family members first and see how this works. Let's stretch it out a bit. Yes, we need to compensate those who give, including family members, but compensate them and control all the perverse and adverse consequences if possible," he said.

Dr Phua also urged the government not to be too hasty in rolling out details for reimbursing organ donors and said he hopes to see extensive consultations and dialogues with the public on this matter.


- CNA/so