Policy options for increasing the supply of transplantable kidneys in Singapore

Abstract

Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for eligible end-stage renal disease patients. However,the supply of donated kidneys has been consistently insufficient to meet the transplantation requirements of the population. In this paper,I discuss the feasibility of several policy options that engage potential donors or key individuals in a Singapore context,including financial and non-financial incentives for deceased/living organ donors and their families,improving actualisation rates of both donation after brain death,donation after cardiac death through quality improvement programmes and remuneration schemes,and a media platform for directed organ donation. I conclude by highlighting the most feasible policies to be considered.