Organ Donation Day 2017 urges public to have more discussions on organ donation (with photos)
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Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, said that more than 550 organisations, enterprises and schools have supported and signed the Organ Donation Promotion Charter since its launch in June last year. The Charter Signatories pledged to promote the culture of organ donation internally and in the community. Through the joint efforts of different parties, the number of CODR registrations has now exceeded 274 000.
She said, "Various studies have shown that some members of the public still avoid talking about organ donation. We encourage the public to have more discussions on organ donation and give it more thought so as to change their perception on the matter."
Since last year, the Government has designated the second Saturday of November as the annual Organ Donation Day and the anniversary of the launching of the CODR. To tie in with the celebration, the DH's organ donation promotion vehicle is visiting the 18 districts across the territory this month to encourage the public to register in the CODR (www.codr.gov.hk) and share their wish with their families. The Charter Signatories are also collaborating in organising various promotional activities to call for public support.
With the support of the MTR Corporation Limited, promotional booths have been set up at 18 MTR stations today and members of the public are welcome to fill out the Organ Donation Form at the booths.
Other officiating guests of today's ceremony included the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), Ms Elizabeth Tse; the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi; the Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan; the Controller of the Centre for Health Protection of the DH, Dr Wong Ka-hing; the Chairman of the Hospital Authority (HA), Professor John Leong; the Chief Executive of the HA, Dr Leung Pak-yin; and the Human Resources Director of the MTR Corporation Limited, Ms Margaret Cheng.
In the light of concerns over organ donation from religious perspectives, representatives from six religious groups were also invited to the ceremony to speak on the issue and show their support for organ donation. Other activities included a performance by the KIDs' Dream choir and a singing performance and sharing by an organ recipient.
The setting up of the CODR in 2008 by the DH has provided a more convenient means for the public to register voluntarily their wish to donate organs after death. The CODR records such wishes in a reliable and systematic manner, and enables medical personnel responsible for organ donation to know upon a patient's death about their wish to donate organs, and the bereaved family to acknowledge the deceased's wish to rekindle the lives of other people.
For more information on organ donation and its promotion activities, the public may visit the DH's thematic website (www.organdonation.gov.hk). They are also invited to "like" and follow the DH's Organ Donation@HK Facebook page (www.fb.com/organdonationhkeng) for the latest information.
Ends/Saturday, November 11, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:58
Issued at HKT 15:58
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