Taiwan has the highest organ donation rate in Asia. For every 1 million Taiwanese, there are 7 to 8 organ donors. But health ministry official Liu Yu-ching said Taiwan still has far more patients in need of organ donations than donors. Currently, over 8,000 Taiwanese people are waiting for organ donations but only about 300 patients get organ transplants each year.
Democratic Progressive Party legislator Tien Chiu-chin said laws in Taiwan regarding organ transplants are not on par with international standards. Tien’s proposed amendment to the law has passed the first review, and she hopes ruling and oppositions parties would meet to discuss the issue soon.
Laws regarding organ donations vary from country to country. Health official Liu said any medical personnel who act as a middleman for organ donation could lose their medical license.