More than two-thirds of the Maltese are willing to have their organs harvested provided they are “truly dead”, according to a recent study.
The scientific survey, commissioned by the Transplant Support Group, found that 69 per cent would be willing to donate their organs after their death, citing this as “an act of giving”.
The majority of those not in favour said they feared doctors would take their organs even though they were not actually dead.
The findings come as the government yesterday wound down a public consultation on organ donation, which proposed the introduction of a voluntary register of donors.
Once given legal force, the reform will be the first comprehensive legislation on organ harvesting and donation and will use the internationally-recognised Harvard criteria to determine death.
The study, conducted by consultancy firm Fsadni and Associates among more than 500 people in Malta and Gozo, found that just one in 10 would not be willing to have their organs harvested. Three-quarters of these had received no basic education. They were also most likely to be retired women from the north of the island.
The consultation ended yesterday with the government saying it was leaning towards retaining the current opt-in system, where patients can choose to become donors. Those who have not expressed any wish on the issue will be consulted. If no agreement is reached before the patient’s death, then doctors will consult the next of kin for a final decision.
Next of kin can be asked
A consultation meeting between Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne and transplant experts at Mater Dei Hospital last week had seen a number of doctors stress the importance of not hounding patients into consenting.
Clinical director Joseph Zarb Adami had expressed fears that the number of people who opted out of donating – 12 per cent – would likely increase if patients were forced to decide before going under the knife. “Let’s be careful and not ruin what we have at the moment,” he said.
The study found that 94 per cent of those who agreed with having their organs harvested also accepted to carry an organ donor card. Nearly all of those who disagreed with carrying a card were over 66. Donor cards are available from the Transplant Support Group, however, the practice is not regulated. The reform seeks to introduce a centralised donor card system in conjunction with the proposed register.
The study found more than three-quarters of those in favour of carrying such a card did not have one.