Vietnam Considers Lowering Age for Tissue Donation to 16

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The Ministry of Health of Vietnam has proposed amendments to allow individuals aged 16 and older to donate certain tissues like kidneys and parts of the liver, provided there is written consent from their legal representative or guardian. This change is part of draft revisions to the Law on Donation, Removal and Transplantation of Human Tissues, Organs and Cadavers.

Currently, only those aged 18 and above with full civil capacity can donate tissue while alive. The proposal seeks to broaden the scope for donations but maintains that minors need guardian consent. The initiative also includes posthumous donations, where anyone can pledge their organs, but minors again require guardian consent.

In the proposed framework:

• Those aged 30+ can donate organs to any recipient.
• Those 18+ can donate organs to family members.
• Those 16+ can donate tissues with guardian approval.

The draft outlines the logistics of funding for donors, covering medical checks, retrieval, and post-donation care. For transplant recipients, costs include surgery, recovery, and necessary medications.

The proposal includes new benefits for blood and stem cell donors such as priority treatment access, medical care for donation-related complications, and confidentiality of test results. Donors will also have free medical consultations and thorough information on processes and risks.

The proposal aims to increase donation awareness and participation to meet the rising demand for transplants. Vietnam leads Southeast Asia with over 1,000 transplants a year, yet faces low posthumous donation rates. The government hopes these changes will bolster donation rates while ensuring ethical practices, reported Vietnam News.