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21 January 2014
Question No. 717
Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mrs Lina Chiam
Non-Constituency MP
Question:
To ask the Minister for Health whether non-Singaporeans have access to our blood bank and organs donated by Singaporeans under the Human Organ Transplant Act.
Answer:
1. The Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) allows Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PR) to donate their kidneys, livers, hearts and corneas in the event of death, for the purpose of transplantation to save lives.
2. In the situation where there are no suitable Singaporean or PR recipients, the organ will be offered to a foreign patient before the donated organs deteriorate. From 2004 to 2013, six foreign patients received HOTA corneas as there were no other suitable local recipients.
3. The key objective of Singapore’s National Blood Programme is to ensure that all patients in Singapore, regardless of nationality and residential status, have access to a safe and sufficient blood supply when they need it. Blood transfusions are given and prioritised based on clinical indications. The physician in charge decides whether a patient needs a blood transfusion and how much blood is required.
4. The Health Sciences Authority and the Singapore Red Cross work in partnership to collect blood from altruistic donors on a voluntary, non-remunerated basis. Donors include Singaporeans, PRs and non-residents. This approach of altruistic donation and inclusive recruitment ensures that the transfusion needs of all patients in Singapore are adequately and safely met.