Strategies targeted at motivating unrelated living kidney donation.

BACKGROUND

This paper aimed to assess the willingness of Malaysians with post-secondary education to be living kidney donors.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

From the total of 1,310 living kidney donor respondents in Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs, we focused on 688 respondents with post-secondary education. These 688 respondents were asked whether they were willing to become living kidney donors if the government provides a reasonable amount of financial incentive. Those who were not willing to be donors (490) were then asked the reasons for their unwillingness. Six options were given and respondents can choose more than 1 option.

RESULTS

Malaysians with post-secondary education remain unconvinced to be living donors even when provided with monetized incentives. The main reason cited was they are not convinced that individuals can live with just 1 kidney.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for the government to develop new ways to promote organ donation. These include strengthening government coordination of medical procedures and creating public awareness about the safety of living with 1 kidney. Setting up new institutions such as donor clinics, creating a living donor registry, and having independent donor advocates are also instrumental.