There are just over 27,093 registered organ donors in Malta, Alexandra Gatt, Director of the Health Care Standards Directorate within the Department for Health Regulation said.

The National Human Organ and Tissue Donation Register came into effect in December 2016 with the enactment of the Human Organs, Tissues and Cell Donation Act. The processing of the information contained in the register is carried out in compliance with the Data Protection Act.

Over the last month the Directorate has been conducting a campaign to encourage others to sign up and become donors. “In total, an additional 160 new organ donors registered in the last month”, she said.

Explaining what parts of the body can be donated, Gatt said that the most known are the kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas and small bowel. However, one can also donate corneas, cartilage, heart valves, bone tissue, ligaments and tendons. One may donate all of the above, or one can specify which organs/tissues are to be donated.

A person must be at least 16-years-old to become an organ donor.

People can become organ donors even if they have a medical condition, as healthcare professionals would be present to decide whether organs or tissue donated would be suitable for transplant, depending on medical history.

This register replaces the previous Donor Card. All those who had the donor card must re-apply to be registered on the Donor Register.

Those who would like to register themselves as organ donors can do so either by visiting the health and community care section on servizz,gov.mt - https://organdonation.gov.mt/ and register with their E-id, or else send an email on [email protected] or call on 2595 3324 for more details. Application forms are also found in health centres, community clinics and local councils.