Organ Donation Awareness Workshop Held at KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital

19 July 2025

KOTA KINABALU: KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital recently hosted a Donor Management and Coordination Workshop aimed at raising awareness of the organ donation process among healthcare staff.

The two-day workshop took place at the hospital’s main hall and was held in collaboration with the Sabah Transplant Resource Centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The primary objectives of the workshop were to enhance staff understanding of the importance of organ donation, promote best practices in donor management, and improve hospital operations related to donor services.

It also sought to address the emotional, ethical, and procedural aspects of organ donation, empowering staff to better support patients and families.

“The two-day workshop is an important step in raising awareness among our staff on the life-saving impact of organ donation,” said Mohamad Faizal Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital, in his welcoming remarks.

“As an MSQH-accredited hospital, it is vital for our staff to be well informed about organ donation, as it forms part of the Patient and Family Rights standards. Organ donation is a selfless act that can give the gift of life to another.”

Five expert speakers led the sessions, each bringing extensive experience in their respective fields. They included Low Lieh Yong (Chief State Transplant Coordinator, Sabah Transplant Resource Centre, QEH), Dr. Darlene Flavius Ongkili (Emergency Physician, Emergency and Trauma Department, QEH), Esterclare Damianus (Clinical Matron, ICU 1 and Respiratory Ward, QEH), Matron Roslina Jenang (Nursing Matron, ICU, QEH 2), and Raynee Kumilau (Nursing Lecturer, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah).

Topics covered included an introduction to organ donation and transplantation, an overview of brain death, psychological aspects of donor management, identification of potential donors, donor management workflows, and religious perspectives on organ donation.

The workshop also featured interactive group discussions, allowing participants to share perspectives and explore common misconceptions, cultural sensitivities, and concerns related to religious beliefs. It provided clarity on key aspects such as the diagnosis of brain death, the consent process, and the overall transplantation procedure.

The programme has significantly increased awareness among KPJ Sabah staff, fostering a more informed and positive outlook towards organ donation. By addressing myths and highlighting the human impact of donation, the workshop has strengthened the hospital’s commitment to ethical and compassionate care.