Human Organs Transplant Act (HOTA)

I read about the 19 year old boy who was saved by a new heart in the Straits Times last Tuesday. I noticed about the Human Organs Transplant Act(HOTA) that was mentioned in the Article.
I like to share with you what HOTA is about.

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HOTA was introduced in 1987 administered by the National Organ Transplant Unit (NOTU) in MOH.
It is a presumed consent law that allowed for the removal of kidneys for the purpose of organ transplantation from those who died in a hospital as a result of accidents, and did not object to organ donation prior to their death.

In 2004, amendments to HOTA were passed:
a. to extend HOTA beyond kidneys to include the liver, heart and cornea;
b. to extend HOTA beyond death due to accidents to all causes of death; and
c. to extend HOTA beyond cadaveric organ donation to include living donor organ transplants.

HOTA applies to Singapore citizens and permanent residents between the ages of 21 and 60 years.
Muslims were excluded because of religious reasons. Persons of unsound mind were also excluded.

Persons who objected to organ donation could opt out by registering their objections with the National Organ Transplant Unit (NOTU)

For more information on HOTA, please call the MOH hotline at 1800 225 4122 or email MOH_HOTA@moh.gov.sg