Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Thank you Teoh Chi Hwa

His name is Teoh Chit Hwa, died at 19 years old of Brain Cancer. I feel Compeled to put his story here, because its amazed me so much.. such young man, realizing he's on his death bed still think of the world which he will leave behind. What a noble young man he is.

His Story was on the front page of The Star last Monday (if I'm not mistaken) clearly showing which parts goes where.. Thank you so much Teoh..

Sunday Star Says

Chit Hwa: His life-saving gift benefited at least 35 people.Death is a fact of life. But death can also bring forth a new lease of life to many, thanks to one of the most miraculous achievements of modern medicine.

Teoh Chit Hwa’s life-saving gift last week benefited at least 35 people. And his story inspired many to sign up as organ donors.

In Chit Hwa’s case, the fact that he was already in hospital and had made his wish known to his family made the process easier.

Nevertheless, it was still a massive logistical exercise involving more than 100 people. To the doctors, nurses, drivers and telephone operators from four hospitals as well as police outriders in Kuala Lumpur, Sepang and Kelantan, and pilots from Malaysia Airlines and the Royal Malaysia Air Force, we say Syabas.

Malaysia’s organ transplant programme will certainly benefit from this heart-warming episode.

Over the years, Malaysians have certainly become more open towards the issue of organ donation.

But the fulfilment of the pledge is still dependent on a proper system that brings together all parties, from the donor to the doctor, so that more people can benefit from such a noble gesture.

If you have signed up as a donor, for example, it is important that you share your decision with family and loved ones, and even your colleagues. Sharing your decision now will help them carry out your wishes later.

But while it is important to have as many people signing up as organ donors, it is also equally important to ensure that there be a proper system to drive the programme.

Despite a 30-year history and the availability of facilities and expertise to carry out transplantation of kidneys, heart, liver, lungs and tissues, there is a need for greater cooperation among the various parties involved.

The Government must pour in more funds and resources.

Chief National Transplant Coordinator and National Transplant Procurement manager Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor has said that it would be ideal to have a full-time team whose job is just to do transplants, but there are just not enough doctors. Furthermore, we need clinical people with special skills to look after the donors and procure organs.

As for the lack of organ donors, the authorities should put more emphasis on cadaveric transplants, which involve brain-dead donors.

As Dr Lela puts it: “Malaysia has between 6,000 and 7,000 accidents annually which result in deaths, one of the highest in the world. If the next of kin in 50% of these cases were to consent to a donation, no Malaysian with organ failure would have to wait long and no living person would be subjected to the risks of an operation he does not need.”

It’s time to look at this issue afresh so that more people will be able to get a new lease of life.
Copyright © 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd

1 comment:

Ryan said...

got your email ill write u back soon!

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