The Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau has urged more individuals to register as organ donors, as many patients continue to wait for life-saving transplants.
Speaking at a ceremony honouring organ donors on Sunday, Lo noted that over 2,600 patients in Hong Kong are currently on the waiting list for organ transplants.
He said that while nearly 400,000 people have signed up on the Centralised Organ Donation Register – an all-time high – there still remains considerable potential for growth.
“While the number 400,000 is commendable, it still represents less than 6 percent of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million population, and less than 10 percent if we consider those over 18 years old. I have always been ambitious. 400,000 is an excellent figure, but history is meant to be broken,” Lo said.
“I hope to report an even greater number next year at this gathering, not just a modest increase. I hope we can see a significant rise in organ donation numbers.”
The health minister also highlighted two cross-border organ donation cases from recent years, benefitting a then four-month-old baby girl in 2022, and an eight-month-old infant earlier this year.
He expressed admiration for families who, even in their saddest moments, turn their loss into a gift for others, describing it as an act of great generosity that helps complete another family.
Meanwhile, James Fung, president of the Hong Kong Society of Transplantation, said that in the past two years, there were 54 deceased organ donors who saved 138 patients suffering from organ failure.
Additionally, there were 56 living organ donors, who benefited 56 patients suffering from kidney or liver failure.
Fung pointed out that there were fewer than 30 deceased organ donors in each of the past two years, making Hong Kong among places in the world with the lowest organ donation rates.