Question: Why donate organs?

Answer: Organ donation is the manifestation of great love. After a person passes away, the organs are no longer useful to the individual. If these organs are donated to patients in need, they can have the opportunity to extend their lives, giving new hope to the patients and their families.

Question: How to register as an organ donor?

Answer: Those interested in organ donation can register online via this website. Alternatively, they can download the “Donor Registration Form” from the “Downloads” or obtain the form in person at Conde de São Januário General Hospital, any of the Health Centres, or the Blood Transfusion Centre, and then submit the completed form in one of the following ways: 1) Deliver it in person to the Office of Organ Donation Promotion Team at CHCSJ; 2) Scan and send it via e-mail to: odpg@ssm.gov.mo; 3) Mail it in sealed envelope to the Organ Donation Promotion Team, Conde de São Januário General Hospital, Estrada do Visconde de S. Januário. The donor or his/her legal representative will be contacted by telephone during office hours to confirm the data provided. After confirmation, the donor should collect the Donor Card in person at CHCSJ within office hours.

The personal data provided is protected and the access thereof is only authorised to the staff responsible for managing the donor registration system.

Question: Why should I inform my family of my will to donate organs?

Answer: Organ donation is only carried out when the relatives of the deceased donor have signed a consent form. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to inform your relatives if you have registered as an organ donor or if you wish to donate your organs after death.

Question: What types of organ donation are there?

Answer: Organ donation is divided into two types: deceased donation and living donation. Deceased donation refers to the unpaid donation of well-functioning organs and tissues from a patient who has been professionally confirmed to be brain-dead to patients in need of organ transplants, with the aim of saving the lives of those suffering from organ failure. Brain death is diagnosed through rigorous and professional medical examination. Organ donation can only be carried out with prior signed consent of the donor or the consent of his/her family members. Regarding living donation, it means that a healthy adult voluntarily donates a part of his/her organs or tissues for transplantation, provided that it does not affect his/her own health and physiological functions.

Question: What organs and tissues can be donated for transplantation?

Answer: Organs: Kidneys, liver, heart, lungs and pancreas; Tissues:
Corneas, bones, skin, heart valves, blood vessels, and small intestine.

Question: Who is eligible to be a donor?

Answer: Generally, except patients with severe communicable diseases or malignant tumours, most people can become an organ donor. The medical team responsible for organ transplantation will evaluate the condition of the deceased donor\s body before determining which organs can be donated.

Question: Does organ donation affect the appearance of the donor\s remains?

Answer: The medical team will fully respect the donor\s body and will properly suture the incisions to ensure that the appearance is preserved as much as possible.

Question: If I experience an accident or critical illness, will healthcare professionals not work as hard to save or treat me because I have registered as an organ donor?

Answer: Absolutely not. Protecting the health of patients and saving their lives are the primary responsibilities of healthcare professionals. No member of the medical team can check whether the patient is an organ donor or not. Donation procedures can only begin after the patient has been determined to be brain dead.

Question: Can I change or cancel my organ donor registration after it is completed?

Answer: Yes, you can. After registering as a donor, if you wish to change your mind, you will need to fill out a new Donor Registration Form and select “Change of data – Please fill out all details – This form will completely supersede the previous form” or “Cancellation of donor record” for the purpose. Please fill out all the required information and bring it to the Patient Relations Office of CHCSJ with your donor card and identification document to complete the necessary procedures.

Question: Are there age restrictions for organ donor registration?

Answer: Adults aged 18 or above may register independently. Individuals under 18 require consent from a legal representative who must register on their behalf. Minors should ensure that they fully understand the meaning and implication of organ donation and discuss thoroughly with their family before registration. There is no upper age limit for organ donor registration. A medical assessment will be carried out to determine if the organs are suitable for use.

Question: Does religious belief affect organ donation?

Answer: Macao respects religious pluralism, and most major religions (e.g. Buddhism, Catholicism, Christianity) approve of organ donation as a life-saving act of charity. Feel free to consult with your religious community in case of any concerns.

Question: May the organs be used for commercial transactions or research?

Answer: The buying and selling of organs is strictly prohibited under Macao law! Compensation for and trading of organs are forbidden under any circumstances. Donated organs are only used for clinical transplantation. Their use for research requires authorization from the organ donor (prior to their death) or their family.

Question: Can non-Macao residents register?

Answer: Non-Macao residents can also register in Macao. There is currently no restriction on the nationality of donors.

Question: How does the medical team certify “brain death”?

Answer: Brain death certification must be performed by two qualified specialists following strict clinical tests (e.g. brainstem reflexes, spontaneous breathing) and confirmatory instrumental tests. The process is subject to legal oversight.