Nandini Ela D/O Lachmana, 19

Topic: Generating positive mindset change on organ donation

Award: Special Mention, Open Category, 2023

The challenge of generating positive mindset changes on organ donation.

1. Introduction

What makes a human? Is it the emotions one encompasses? Or our evolution since prehistoric times? Questions like these tend to have a rainbow of answers. In my opinion, I think what makes a human is all of these traits and more. There are too many factors to take into account to define humans, aside from just physical traits alone. Scientifically known as Homosapien, humans are known to be one of the most intelligent and curious species to roam the earth. Thus, leading to our speedy advancements, aiming to better society as times go by. An area of interest which has been advancing throughout the years, is in the medical field. This field’s main aim is to improve our quality of life through our bodies. Extensive research and studies have been done to help the disabled or those who are in critical condition. Exploration has been done in many areas to combat such difficulties, including the topic of organ transplantation. Organ transplantation gives individuals “a second chance at life”. Everyone is well aware that we only live once, but what if we could give others in desperate need of a second chance at life simply by making a choice when we’re alive?

Since its discovery in 1954 by Joseph Murray, organ transplants have been an important discovery in the field of science, allowing us to save countless lives and aiding further research to better society. Although significant improvements and advancements in the topic of organ donation have been made, it is a subject that is not entirely accepted by individuals globally, including the citizens of Singapore. An important question posed is, why are people unable to fully support the cause? Delving into the specifics, the main challenges faced preventing individuals from fully supporting the cause is due to the many influences, disadvantages, and the spectrum of emotions individuals feel, that comes with organ donation. Despite these challenges, Singapore as a society has managed to progress well over the years, by generating a positive mindset amongst citizens, towards organ donation. Singapore has done this by educating the public on the benefits of organ donation, as well as implementing laws to benefit the entire country. The need to grow support on the topic of organ donation is crucial, as based on statistics, there is an estimate of more than 500 patients waiting to receive organ donations yearly, in Singapore. By gaining the support of the citizens, it allows society to produce more organ donors, allowing us to save more lives, and thus, decrease the death rate.

2. Challenges faced to acquire positivity on organ donation.

In general, generating a positive mindset within society is an incredibly difficult task. The main reason is because humans tend to be more drawn into the idea of fear. In societal context, the main type of fear felt by society is fear of the unknown. This leads to a difficult challenge faced as the fear of the unknown can grow exponentially, due to the citizens having a lack of knowledge and understanding on this important topic, not only in Singapore but the rest of the world. What emphasises this fear even more, is the negativity surrounding organ donation through the media and life as a whole. By showcasing the risks of organ donation and its consequences, along with the issue of organ trafficking occurring globally, it leads to great distrust amongst individuals all over the world.

Aside from that, society comprises an array of many different individuals with many different values, characteristics, and beliefs. Hence, affecting and enlarging the variation of perspectives and opinions on this topic. For example, someone who is more optimistic would have a much more positive mindset towards organ donation, in comparison to someone who is more pessimistic. Not only that, but organ donation may also become an emotional issue affecting both the organ donor and recipient, including their families. Additionally, the topic of organ donation also poses possible ethical issues. Thus, due to this, it makes these challenges faced, even more onerous.

On another note, another important factor to take note of, which also poses a major challenge in society, is the power of influence. Social societal influence refers to how people change their ideas, and perspectives, to meet the demands of the majority. This factor can be used to generate positivity towards organ donations or be against it. This further emphasises the difficulty in this challenge, as any wrong move made will lead to citizens being against organ donations, eliminating any efforts previously made to grow support on the complex topic. In today’s context, Singapore has managed to make use of social societal influence in a positive manner by implementing laws to encourage more organ donations within society and to show support. This can be seen in the Human Organ Transplant Act which was implemented.

One key method which leads to Singapore gaining more organ donors, is through the Human Transplant Act (HOTA) as previously mentioned. Delving deeper into this law, which was implemented in 1987, which is a whopping 36 years ago; allows multiple parts of the human body to be removed for organ transplantation in the occurrence of death. Aside from that, the main reason why this law is able to garner a lot of organ donors, is due to the fact that the HOTA is applicable to most people residing in Singapore, specifically Singapore Citizens and Permanent residents above the age of 21 years old with no mental disorders. However, the people are still able to opt out if they are against it, thus making it a decision still entirely up to the individual. By implementing this law, the government shows more support towards the topic of organ donation, thus shifting citizens' mindset towards more positivity on the complicated topic.

Apart from the HOTA, more efforts have also been made to educate society on the benefits of organ donation. Since the challenge faced was people being unable to support the cause due to the general lack of support from society. By educating the public on organ donation, it leads to the public being more aware, and in turn shifting their mindset away from the negativity previously present. One way Singapore manages to spread the word on the benefits of organ donation and to educate, is through posters, articles, and in today’s current times, social media. By simplifying terms to allow the public to better understand, and by utilising the skills of talented artists to spread the word through artworks, this leads to more support being accumulated. For example, the benefits of organ donation which can be seen repeated in articles or depicted in images and artworks is how organ donation provides individuals in need with a second chance at life, along with how it is a humanitarian act. Not only that, but information such as how 1 donor is able to save 7 lives further proves how organ donation is essential in society. By showcasing the benefits surrounding organ donation, society can better understand and empathise with individuals in need. Thus, leading them to feel more inclined to support organ donation.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, based on the efforts made by the Singapore society to garner support on organ donations throughout the years, it shows that what was once a challenge, may now be slightly more of a breeze. Therefore, leading to how the challenge of generating a positive mindset changes on organ donation in Singapore. This can be seen as based on a survey conducted in Singapore, it showed that there was strong support amongst the people on the matter, with 77.0% of the participants being willing to donate any usable organs. Although this is incredibly good news, which proves that efforts made to gain support are working, it was also noted that 92.5% of the respondents were unclear with HOTA. This act, which is one of the main sources responsible for allowing society to obtain more organ donations for individuals in need of them in Singapore, should be more publicised. This is because not only does organ donation support citizens in need of organ donations, but it also aids society through research and studies, depending on whether the individual chooses to pledge as an organ donor to save lives, or for research. Thus, because of this, more efforts should be put in to allow individuals to make a more informed decision. Although the challenge of spreading the word and ridding of paranoia on the topic of organ donation is slowly becoming a success, with more people supporting the cause, more efforts should still be made to gain even more support. This leads to a new question posed, what else should we do as a society to further promote organ donation in Singapore? Especially after exhausting all methods of promotions like artworks, articles, and the media?

References

1. Barker, C. F., & Markmann, J. F. Historical Overview of Transplantation. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a014977

2. Social Influence: Why We Conform In Groups. (2017, July 20). https://www.psychologistworld.com/influence/social-influence.

3. Human Organ Transplant Act 1987 - Singapore Statutes Online. https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Acts-Supp/15-1987/Published/19880430? DocDate=19870710#:~:text=10th%20June%201987.&text=An%20Act%20to%20make%20provision,and%20for%20purposes%20connected%20therewith.

4. Valerie Chew, Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) | Infopedia. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1401_2009-01-08.html

5. Lin Chua, J. J. (2017, January 1). Deceased organ donation in Singapore: knowledge, attitudes and challenges | NTU Singapore. https://dr.ntu.edu.sg/handle/10356/72620

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2023 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health). To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg