A record high of about 400,000 Hong Kong residents have registered their intention to donate organs, according to the city’s health minister, who emphasized the importance of increasing these numbers. Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau announced on Sunday that while the latest figures from the Centralised Organ Donation Register are promising, they still reflect a need for improvement considering the total population of 7.5 million.
“Our aim is to achieve more breakthroughs. We hope that the figure on the register can record a transcending increase,” Lo stated at an event designed to promote organ donation. This number surpasses last year’s total of over 360,000 potential donors, marking significant progress.
Lo described organ donation as a “selfless” and “mighty” act, acknowledging the emotional challenges that families face when making such decisions in times of grief. The rise in registered donors is a hopeful sign, but it highlights the ongoing struggle regarding Hong Kong’s low organ donation rates compared globally.
Cleo Lai, who made history as the recipient of Hong Kong’s first transplant at just four months old using a donated organ from mainland China, serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that organ donation can have. This case exemplifies the critical need for more donors and the difference that such acts can make to children and families in dire situations.
Despite the positive news of increased registrations, advocates are eager for further action. Lo reiterated the call for more residents to consider registering as organ donors, emphasizing that the city still has one of the lowest rates globally. “About 400,000 Hong Kong residents have registered. It’s a record high,” he said, yet underscored that even higher numbers are essential.
The organ donation awareness event drew considerable attention, illustrating both the community’s support for the cause and the critical need for more public understanding regarding organ donation policies and practices.
As these conversations about organ donation continue, the city’s health authorities remain hopeful that more families will empower each other in difficult times through acts of kindness, potentially saving lives while navigating their own grief.
In conclusion, while the latest figures bring optimism, the push for higher rates of registration represents an ongoing challenge that health officials are committed to overcoming. The journey toward increasing Hong Kong's organ donation figure continues, as both residents and leaders reflect on the lives that could be saved through this noble act of giving.
