DOHA: This Ramadan Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is asking people to consider giving the gift of life and registering as organ donors as part of a six-week campaign across Qatar.
Starting from the first day of the holy month, staff from Qatar Organ Donation Centre (Hiba) are at booths in shopping malls and other prominent locations to educate the public on organ donation in general and ask them to consider registering as donors.
People will be able to find out what it means to be a registered donor, how it can save lives and have their questions answered. They will also be able to register on the spot and will receive donor cards.
An organ transplant can be a life-saving procedure. It can also significantly improve quality of life for someone with chronic organ failure. Life-saving organs come from deceased donors, who pledged during their life to give organs to the needy. A deceased organ donor can save up to eight lives. It is also possible to donate to a relative a kidney or part of the liver while one is alive.
Dr Hanan Al Kuwari, Managing Director, HMC, launched the campaign with a visit to Hiba and said, “The more registered donors we have in Qatar, the more likely it is that no one will have to wait for a life-saving transplant.
“Many of our leading figures, including H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and Minister for Public Health H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani are registered donors.
“I have also registered as I believe that it is the right thing to do, and I would like to urge the public not yet registered to join the 50,000 who are — I am sure there are many more who would be prepared to give the gift of life and register as donors.
“The more the public understands about organ donation and transplant, the more likely they are to feel committed to be a registered donor.
“This is why our staff are going out to speak in public places to answer questions and raise awareness.”
Dr Riadh Fadhil, Director, Hiba, said he hoped that by raising awareness and having a growing donor registry, patients will no longer have to travel overseas for transplants.
Addressing concerns or misconceptions people have regarding the process he said, “Under the Doha Donation Accord we make sure we look after donors and their families.
“For living donors we provide health insurance for life and cover any loss of income due to working days missed during operation and recovery. We also honour our donors with a medal during an annual ceremony.”
Dr Fadhil’s team has about 500 HMC staff members, who speak several languages, involved in the campaign, with messages needed to be conveyed to the multi-cultural society. They will be able to support the public to make an informed decision about registering as donors.
The Peninsula
