World · Singapore Bureau
Vietnam abandons child organ donor scheme following public outcry
Vietnam has shelved a controversial proposal that would have permitted children to become organ donors, bowing to intense public and political pressure. The move underscores growing scrutiny of the country's transplant practices.
LSN Singapore ·
Vietnamese authorities have withdrawn plans to expand organ donation eligibility to include minors, marking a significant reversal after facing widespread criticism from citizens and lawmakers concerned about potential exploitation.
The proposal had aimed to broaden the donor pool in a country where transplant demand substantially outpaces supply. However, opponents raised ethical concerns about the ability of children to provide informed consent and the risk of coercion from family members facing financial hardship.
Currently, the vast majority of organ transplants in Vietnam depend on living donors, predominantly relatives of patients. This reliance on familial sources has created pressure on families and raised questions about the adequacy of Vietnam's transplant infrastructure and donation framework.
The decision to abandon the child donor initiative reflects international concerns about transplant practices in the region and Vietnam's commitment to align with global ethical standards for organ procurement. Health officials are expected to explore alternative approaches to address the transplant shortfall, including strengthening deceased donor programmes and improving public awareness campaigns.