A recent survey showed that most Singaporeans were in favor of compensation for living organ donors, the country's Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Monday.

A public consultation exercise was conducted by the MOH from November 14 to December 15, 2008 to seek the public's views and feedback on the proposed amendments to the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA).

The ministry said the responses received showed that 86 percent of the survey respondents supported some form of payment to living organ donors, 76 percent felt that a reasonable payment level should exceed 50,000 Singapore dollars (about US$33,800).

The survey showed that many agreed that reimbursing and defraying cost should be provided to living donors to cover expenses such as transport and accommodation, loss of time and earnings and anticipated costs of medical follow-up.

According to the survey, 93 percent favored lifting the upper age limit for cadaveric organ donation, 96 percent supported allowing donor-recipient paired matching for exchanges of organs, and 96 percent supported increasing penalties for organ trading syndicates and middlemen.

It is also notable that 96 percent of respondents were positive towards donating their own organs after death to help organ failure patients.

The Ministry said it is mindful of the sensitivities of payment for organ donation and reaffirms their commitment to prohibit organ trading in Singapore, adding that it will follow international practices and guidelines in working out a legally and ethical scheme to cover the costs and expenses incurred by living donors.

The current HOTA allows for the kidneys to be removed in the event of death due to accidents for the purpose of transplantation. All Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents between the ages of 21 and 60 years are included under HOTA.

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2009)