Muslim community support HOTA but concerns remain
By Chio Su-Mei, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 04 July 2008 2208 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Come August 1, the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) will automatically apply to all communities in Singapore.

This means kidneys, livers, hearts and corneas suitable for transplant can be removed from those aged between 21 and 60 upon death, unless they opt out.

The Muslim community which was previously excluded from the act has given its support, although concerns still remain.

To address these concerns, dialogue sessions are being held within the Muslim community to explain the scope and processes of the HOTA.

The first session in a mosque was held at the Darrusalam Mosque at Commonwealth Avenue West.

The Ministry of Health said it has received a substantial number of queries regarding the procedures involved in organ transplant, as well as the parameters by which a patient is declared dead.

So, the ministry said it will step up its public education through more dialogue sessions and will send out a second batch of HOTA booklets to each Muslim household.

At hospitals, designated doctors and medical support officers have also been trained to counsel affected family members. - CNA/vm