28th May 2023 – (Hong Kong) The Hong Kong Department of Health (DH) has urged the public to continue their support for organ donation and register with the Centralised Organ Donation Register (CODR) at www.codr.gov.hk. The DH has been closely monitoring the operation of the CODR system, which has seen a steady increase in the number of registrations since its establishment in 2008. The CODR system is an essential tool for saving lives, as organ transplant remains the only hope for some patients with organ failure.
Despite medical advancements, there is still a limited supply of donated organs, and over 2,000 patients in Hong Kong are currently waiting for transplants. Many patients have died before suitable organs become available. To address this issue, the DH has called on the public to keep supporting the selfless and generous act of organ donation and register with the CODR.
To facilitate registration, the DH launched a revamped CODR system last year that allows members of the public to register online using “iAM Smart,” a mobile app that provides a one-stop personalized digital services platform. The DH has now introduced an enhanced feature of the CODR system that allows registered users of “iAM Smart” to check whether they have registered with the CODR.
The Hong Kong Government encourages citizens to register for “iAM Smart” to enjoy more personalized electronic services. For those who are yet to register, they can continue using the current means andmake requests according to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.
The DH spokesperson emphasized the importance of informing family members of one’s wish to donate organs after death, as most people are willing to honor such a wish. Signing an organ donation card is one way to express this wish, but registering with the CODR system facilitates confirmation of the wish and makes arrangements accordingly.
The HK Government is continuing its review of the CODR system’s registration and withdrawal procedures. The system will be updated and relevant procedures enhanced after considering factors such as privacy and identity verification. The DH will make an announcement accordingly.