KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong
Lai today said that organ transplants in this country were done according to
transparent set procedures and standards, and with close health monitoring.
Besides that, he said, all government and private hospitals were required to
obtain approval from a committee under the Health Ministry before carrying out
any organ transplant.
"I confirm that Malaysia is not a country that carries out illegal organ
transplants, and allegations that it does have been refuted by the police," he
told a news conference after the signing of a memorandum of understanding
between the ministry and Novartis Malaysia Sdn Bhd, here.
Yesterday, federal CID director Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said police
investigations showed no evidence that local hospitals had been involved in
illegal organ harvesting and transplants.
This followed claims that arose in September last year that some hospitals
in Malaysia were involved in such illegal activities.
-- MORE
LIOW-ORGAN 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
Liow described the allegations as baseless and not true as Malaysia, he
said, was highly committed to protecting standards and upholding ethics and
professionalism in organ donations and tranplants.
He said kidney transplants in Malaysia were done at Kuala Lumpur Hospital,
Selayang Hospital, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre and a number of private
hospitals in the Klang Valley.
"If there is evidence that illegal organ harvesting and transplants occur at
any hospital, we will definitely take action against those involved, and
meanwhile we are closely monitoring for any such malpractices," he said.
-- BERNAMA
CS MAM MO