The Philippines and Organ Donation
In the Philippines, being an organ donor is atypical, and for a country fraught with false notions and superstitions, launching organ donor awareness is easier said than done. Perhaps another contributing factor to Filipino’s apathy on organ donation is their lack of knowledge on the subject and also that information about it is hard to find.
One of the main reasons research show is that Filipino’s don’t know exactly about what they need to do in order to become one. Perhaps the word ‘registration’ to an average Filipino is equivalent to long queue’s, pages and pages of forms to fill out answering questions they don’t understand, in short, a waste of time.
What they don’t know is that the most important way of ‘registering’ to become an organ donor is to talk about it with ones friends and family. In that small way, an individual would already have registered his or her wishes to people whom he knows will carry out what he wants if and when the individual will pass away. It is most advisable as well that a person who has decided to donate his organs when he dies, is to discuss this decision with the person who will have the final say. For example if you were single and you have decided to donate your organs when the time comes, you would communicate your decision to your parents. Or, if you were a husband who has come to such a decision as well, you would tell your wife.
Yes, there are forms to fill out and an organ donor card that can be issued to a person once a decision like this has been made but as was stated earlier, a persons’ talking this kind of choice over with family and friends already ensures that his or her wishes be carried. The forms are merely for formality and also for certain situations where in other people need to know as well. A common example of this is when an individual meets an accident and dies as a result and there is no one available to let the medical people know of the said individuals wishes and by the time the family is able to communicate with the medical people, it is already to late for the organs to be harvested.
In principle, contrary to most peoples’ common notion those only organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys and eyes are what they can donate and can be transplanted. This notion is actually not entirely true as facts said that currently, transplanted human tissues include bone, corneas, skin, heart valves, veins, cartilage and other connective tissues. Tissues such as these can be used to treat patients suffering from congenital defects, blindness, visual impairment, trauma, burns, dental defects, arthritis, cancer, vascular and heart disease. In addition, many heart valves are used to treat children with congenital defects of their own heart valves.
The medical world categorizes organ donors into two types. The first type is what they call the living-related donor, the second the cadaver donor. The living-related donor is just what the title states, this would be a person who is related to the patient and is willing to donate one of his or her organs. Let us stress that the act of organ donation is without any danger to the donor’s life and will not cause any alteration to the donors physical activities. Now for a living-related organ donation, not all organs cited above can be donated. The only organs that can be donated by a living-related donor will be one kidney, bone marrow, and a part of the liver. Obviously a living related donor cannot donate his corneas nor his heart because that goes against the rule that organ donation should not cause any danger to the donor’s life and should not cause any alteration to his physical activities.
The cadaver donor has suffered injury by trauma or disease to the brain, destroying brain functions. Before an individual can become a cadaver donor, he or she has to be certified as brain dead. For some countries, here in the Philippines, it would take the certification of a neurologist or neurosurgeon supported by imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, MRI’s and ECG’s. If the donor has been tagged as brain dead, organs that can be harvested which include kidneys, the liver, bone marrow, long bones, corneas, pancreas, lungs and the heart are then collected with after a signed consent of the nearest-of-kin, or if declared in the donors last will and testament. Some countries though, like Singapore, Spain and Denmark, their system decrees that that unless the donor has previously indicated his refusal to donate, his organs can be harvested.
Filipinos are known for their deep family ties and religious devotion, not to mention for their superstitious and traditional beliefs. These and misinformation about organ donation are the biggest reasons why cadaver harvests are grimly low. Some of the seriously damaging myths borne from misinformation are that potential donors believe that their bodies will be mutilated when the organs are harvested. The fact of the matter is donated organs are surgically removed in a routine operation similar to appendix removal making normal funeral arrangements possible. Of course when a donor decides to donate, let it also be known that a declaration of this intent doesn’t mean that all possible organs will be harvested, a donor has the right to specify which particular organ to donate. It is also in this country where you will here someone say “I can’t donate blood, my religion forbids it.” What more if one would suggest to this type of person about donating a body organ?
Often times though, it isn’t the religion but the person itself who thinks it is forbidden. In the Philippines, it is a fact that all organized religions support donation, which is characteristic of a generous act – an individual’s choice. Questions about whether or not one is of the right age to become an organ donor is apparently being asked, the answer is, someone as young as a newborn can be an organ donor. Age limits for organ donation no longer exists, however, the general age limit for donors donating tissue is seventy.
There also are questions leaning on the paranoid where a potential donor thinks that should he be in an accident or other life threatening situation and the medical respondents know that he wants to be a donor, the doctors will no try to save his life. This is absolutely untrue. The medical team treating any type of patients’ goal is to use all life saving efforts to save the patient. The transplant team, which is separate from the medical team treating a patient, is not notified until a patient has been certified as brain dead. And that is not until the patients’ family has consented to donation.
As new as organ donation may seem, or as foreign, to the Filipino culture, what everyone should bear in mind is that organ donation is equivalent to saving lives. Aside from that transplant can also be ‘life-enhancing’. When one loses his or her eyesight we can only imagine the devastation that person goes through. Giving the gift of sight to someone such as this person can mean another shot at life, a rebirth that can only be a dream if we don’t become more open to the idea of organ donation.
Here’s a quote from the ‘The Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines’ website:
“the scene was a sad and all
too common one, a person gone blind, usually, young and
poor…
…in need of a corneal
transplant to restore his sight;
a doctor technically skilled to
do so but helpless
nonetheless…
simply because of the utter
lack of precious cornea
tissues”
Is it not worth it to give someone else a chance if you yourself can call it a good life and are ready to move on from this earth?
The Organ Donor Card Project was conceived by an organization called the ‘Human Organ Preservation Effort’ other wise called H.O.P.E. to help relatives make the decision to donate. It is said to be not the equivalent of a legal consent document as of the prevent time however it can help relatives of the donor realize that their kin has consented before hand and that perhaps his wishes be respected.
A properly filled up Organ Donor Card indicates a person’s willingness to help someone even after his passing. The card serves as a personal consent form for organ donation and indicates to both medical personnel and relatives (if it hasn’t been discussed with them yet) that this individual is willing to donate his or her organs for transplant. Le it be reiterated that the presence of such a card on an individual does not mean that aggressive life-saving measures will not be performed in the event of an emergency.
A fact to note, the Philippines having a population of approximately 76.4 million people, according to the 2000 Census of Population and Housing, has only four Transplant Coordinators for the entire country. From the listing of H.O.P.E’s website* they are:
Helen F. Alonzo, RN – Supervisor
Maria Aurora A. Yusi, RN
Marilou L. Garcia
Maria Paz C. Jose – Secretary
*I suggest you visit the H.O.P.E website as well for first hand information at his link:
Another website which also acted as my reference and worthy of visiting for more information on being an eye donor is from this link.
Below is what the organ donor card and eye donor card look like.
I encourage everyone from the mildly curious to the one’s who really want know to ask and find out more, after all no one can give you pressure about matters such as this and only you can truly have the power to decide whether or not you would like to donate your organs.
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User Comments
cayod
On August 26, 2008 at 9:17 pm
To the parties interested, first I would like to thank you for reading the essay and to let you know that I am very glad to read your comments. I have routed your wishes to the proper medical teams with HOPE and the Eye bank to let them know of your wishes as well, I hope they respond to you immediately. Again, thank you and God bless!
cayod
On September 20, 2008 at 3:48 pm
This is from the HUMAN ORGAN PRESERVATION EFFORT, National Kidney Transplant Institue:
1. Blood – Blood donors are always needed. Did you know that you can safely donate blood every 8 weeks? In the Philippines, contact the Philippine National Red Cross at (02)527-8392, (02)(02)527-8393, (02)527-8384, (02)527-8394, (02)530-0049, (02)527-3595 for Metro Manila. You can also donate at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute’s Blood Bank at (02)924-3601 to 19.
2. Bone – If you are going to have total hip replacement surgery, you can donate the bone that is going to have to be removed from your body. To donate bone, you can call the Philippine General Hospital Bone Bank at 521-8450.
3. Bone Marrow – Did you know that your healthy bone marrow could save a life? To inquire about Bone Marrow donation, call the HOPE office at (02)924-0680. The HOPE at NKTI can also be contacted for other organs to donate at:
E-mail: hopetransplant@mailcity.com
Snail Mail:
HOPE c/o National Kidney and Transplant Institute
East Avenue, Diliman, QC 1100
Philippines
Or, you can also contact HOPE’s supervisor:
Maria Aurora A Yusi, RN
Email: auyusi@bigfoot.com OR aurora@tridel.com.ph
4. Eye – The Eye Bank Foundation of the Philippines
Website: http://www.eyebank.com.ph/
Snail Mail:
Suite 246 , Makati Medical Center
#2 Amorsolo Street, Makati City
1229 Philippines
Tel : (632) 893-5995 Fax: (632) 893-4367
I hope this helps!
manuel combes
On October 2, 2008 at 7:35 am
i would to be an liver donor, id been an kidney donor 4mnths ago what should the benifits tha i can have if i will became a liver donor?
ramil jaictin
On November 5, 2008 at 8:00 pm
hi!
i’m ramil and i’m interested in organ donation. what are the requirements?
thanks..
Fernando Cagungun
On February 2, 2009 at 11:25 pm
I dont want to waste my body when I die, I want to donate all posible organ that still functioning if ever i die.
Marigold Pana
On February 3, 2009 at 4:28 am
Hi,
I wanted to donate my major organs when i die.
Ken
On February 9, 2009 at 9:02 am
It’s a shame the government has never thought of the lack of an efficient system to manage this. Imagine the lives that could be saved.
Of course, it’s the Philippines. Even we can have one, who’s to say it won’t have the same vile corruption that pervades the country?
gracel
On February 15, 2009 at 10:11 pm
hi
please email me on how to have an organ donor card.
email me at lurv_gracel@yahoo.com
thank you
noel
On February 23, 2009 at 12:41 am
i want to be an organ donor.
may i know how to be an organ donor person and
how to have an organ donor card..
my e-mail “ho_noel@yahoo.com”
than you
Kitsy
On February 26, 2009 at 12:17 am
I’d like to be an organ donor as well. I think this is the possible way I can contribute to this world for now. Can you give me a more detailed explanation about this? My email is kitsymeow@yahoo.com . Thank you
Jeni Herrera
On February 28, 2009 at 5:21 am
Hi! i want to be an organ donor. may i know on how could i posibbly give my organs to much needed people if ever i die. want to know on how to get a donor card? thanks. here’s my email address; momniej@aim.com
Atty. Mike
On March 1, 2009 at 7:14 am
Just please take note of the ff. provisions under Republic Act No. 7170 (OThe Organ Donation Act of 1991):
xxx SEC. 3. Person Who May Execute Legacy. – Any individual, at least eighteen (!8) years of age and of sound mind ,may give by way of legacy, to take effect after his death, all or part of his body for any purpose specified in Section 6 hereof.
xxx
SEC. 8. Manner of Executing a Legacy.-
(a) Legacy of all or part of the human body under Section 3 hereof maybe made by will. The legacy becomes effective upon the death of the testator without waiting for probate of the will. If the will is not probated , or it is a declared invalid for testamentary purposes, to the extent that it was executed in good health, is nevertheless valid and effective.
(b) A legacy of all part of the human body under Section 3 hereof may also be made in any document other than the will. The legacy becomes effective upon the death of the testator and shall be respected by and binding upon his executor or administrator, heirs, assign, successors in interest and all members of the family. The document, which maybe a card or any paper designed to be carried on a person, must be signed by the testator in the presence of two witnesses who must signed the document in his presence. If the testator cannot sign, the documents may be signed for him at his direction and in his presence, in the presence of two witnesses who must, likewise, sign the document in the presence of the testator. Delivery of the document of legacy during the testator’s lifetime is not necessary to make the legacy valid.
(c) The legacy may be made to specified the legatee or without specifying the legatee. If the legacy is made to specified a legatee who is not available at the time and place of the testator’s death, the attending physician or surgeon, in the absence of any expressed indication that the testator desired otherwise, may accept the legacy as legatee. If the legacy does not specify a legatee, the legacy may be accepted by the attending physician or surgeon as legatee upon or following the testator’s death. The physician may become a legatee under this subsection shall not participate in the procedures for removing or transplanting a part or parts of the body as decedent.
(d) The testator may designate in his will, card or other document, the surgeon or physician who will carry out the appropriate procedures. In the absence of the designation, or if the designee is not available, the legatee or other persons authorized to accept the legacy may authorized any surgeon or physician for the purpose.
Helen A.
On March 31, 2009 at 7:21 pm
hi. pls email me at lhen_phils@yahoo.com how to be an organ donor and how to have an organ donor card. also, kindly note that i am in UAE right now, if i had an accident from here, do they have to send me back to Philippines and harvest my organs from there?
Leah
On April 2, 2009 at 5:57 am
I want to donate my eyes when I die but I want to know i only those people with 20-20 vision are allowed to donate their eyes? I actually near-sighted so I want to know if I’m still qualified as a donor.
mabeth
On April 4, 2009 at 4:51 am
after i die.. i want to donate any part of my body to anyone who needs it.. to be a blessing to others..
pls inform me where i can avail of such a donor card.. i a friend also who what to avail of such..
what are the qualifications.. you can email me at aryeth1224@yahoo.com
michael p. estolas
On April 13, 2009 at 6:34 am
i want to be an organ donor.
may i know how to be an organ donor person and
how to have an organ donor card..
michael p. estolas
On April 13, 2009 at 6:38 am
i want to be an organ donor.
may i know how to be an organ donor person and
how to have an organ donor card..
here\’s my email add: ewoks2k@yahoo.com
Rowena I. Simbulan
On April 13, 2009 at 7:09 am
Hi! I want to have an organ donor card. How can I have one? Please email me at Kleng1117@yahoo.com
grace
On April 13, 2009 at 8:54 am
I want to be an organ donor. I wanted it so when i die at least my organs will not be wasted. how can i be an organ donor? please email me at mgslozada@yahoo.com. thank you.
Maureen
On April 20, 2009 at 6:06 pm
hi, I’m here in the u.s. and want to know if i can post some information to help people who want to be a bone marrow donor for our filipino brothers and sisters all over the world to have a chance at life please email me the go ahead to post info. I am coordinating with the national bone marrow registry so that people who may not be in the u.s. can also be a donor in our virtual drive where a person would input a password the the BE THE MATCH REGISTRY and free of charge recive a kit where you do a cheek swab and send it in to enter the registry.
Please email me @ ibtinki657@sbcglobal.net for the go ahead thanks so much, this will give our filipino brothers and sisters out there hope!
french
On April 24, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Good day, this would be my chance to help. please email me at van6950@rediffmail.com for the information about on how to be a donor. thank you very much and have a nice day…
Jeffanny
On May 8, 2009 at 3:18 am
I want to share my eyes when I die to the person who born same as to my birthday on May 11.
Jeffanny
On May 8, 2009 at 3:22 am
Hope I could get an instructions before, mail or call me on how be a donor 0929-222-7572/0926-6263973
jeffanny2k8@yahoo.com.
isiah
On May 13, 2009 at 1:51 am
Hi, i also want to donate my organ when i die. please email me at isiah_kim@yahoo.com on how to be an organ donor along with the requirements and how to get an organ donor card? thank you and GOD Bless!
Alvin
On May 28, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Hi I am a helthy 30 yr old Male
Please tell me the process on how I can donate my heart, I dont need it my life is wasted, Just gonna do something good nalang like 7 pounds the movie
conjugrace
On June 27, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I also want to donate any of my organs when I die.
Please tell me the process..thanks!
yeppungrace@yahoo.com
ryzaness
On July 1, 2009 at 10:10 pm
I also want to donate my organs when I die and I would like to be a living donor also. How do we go about it? Please email me at ryzz29@yahoo.com
janet
On July 11, 2009 at 7:33 am
Hi! I’m interested in organ donation. I want to donate my organ when i die. Please tell me the requirements. How & where can i register? thanks!
u could reach me at : janet_magbitangjpm@yahoo.com
joer lon
On July 17, 2009 at 8:54 am
Hi, God is great! he teach me a lot of things from my failures, and this is time to change and i’n decided with all my heart to donate some parts of my body when the time i’m done.i have only one favor, pls tell my wife and my two kids that i love them so much and tell them that im so sorry if i’m not been a good father ang good husband.hope i can help and make other life extend through me.
email: ejoerlon@yahoo.com
ym: ejoerlon@yahoo.com
mobile: 0908-3940368
wella
On August 1, 2009 at 11:39 pm
how can i get a donor card-?wella_capulong@yahoo.com
Stephfanny Fortuna
On August 17, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Hi. Good Day! I’m Stephf from Bacolod City. I’m interested in organ donation. If you have such information, it would be of help if you will send it on my email. I tried to email the site that HOPE posted on their site. Yet, it was failure sending.
Thank you and more power!
stephfanny_fortuna@yahoo.com
j.l
On August 28, 2009 at 11:26 am
I want to donate my organ when i die. Please email me.
marynorr arguilles
On September 13, 2009 at 2:13 am
i want to be a heart donor
connie alejandro
On September 29, 2009 at 9:47 pm
hi! i want to help someone in need that\’s why i\’m really decided to be an organ donor when i die. please e-mail me at conz_alejandro@yahoo.com about the procedure and the requirements and also where can i register. thanks and more power.
Lanie
On October 13, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Please let me know what I need to do to be an Organ donor. Please send me the details: thy.lamb@yahoo.com. Thanks so much
Arturo Lomibao
On November 1, 2009 at 2:16 pm
This article is not supported by hard evidences. You must not be misled. There are thousands of donors at the Philippines. Organ Donation is very common, and Organ Donor Card is available to most people.
The problem is that organ selling, not organ donation is rampant in the country. Kidneys costs around Php 200,000.00 each. Other organs have their own prices too.
Yes there are a few organ donation centers in the country, but hundreds exists, unregistered. Mostly private surgeons and physicians.
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