Only 0.45% of Kelantan‘s population have pledged to become organ donors, the lowest rate among all states and federal territories in Malaysia, says state health department director Dr Zaini Hussin.
He said the figure reflects persistently low awareness of organ donation in the state, particularly among rural communities and younger demographics.
“Since the organ donation pledge programme began in 1997, Kelantan has recorded only eight actual donors,” Bernama reported him as saying at the Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital today.
Zaini stressed the urgent need to improve both pledge registration and actual donation rates.
“Organ demand remains high, especially for kidneys and corneas, as well as hearts and livers. One donor can save up to four lives,” he said.
Zaini said overcoming cultural and religious misconceptions required a coordinated effort involving medical professionals, authorities and religious scholars.
“Although many support the idea in principle, barriers such as limited understanding, myth, family hesitation and concerns over funeral delays or respecting the deceased remain widespread,” he said.
According to the National Transplant Resource Centre, Kuala Lumpur currently has the highest pledge rate at 2.32%.
