As usual, our politicians are light year behind when it comes to passing laws and regulations that could help British people. No wonder it took a private member’s bill by Labour MP Jeffrey Robinson to put availability of much needed organs in line with laws in Wales and Scotland.
The bill, when it becomes law, will be known as Max’s Law, after ten year old Max Johnson whose life was saved by heart transplant, the organ donated by Keira Ball whose other organs, kidneys, liver and pancreas saved four lives with her lifesaving gift.
If the Bill is drafted properly, organs will be available for transplant unless the person has opted out. But as usual, such laws in England are full of pit-falls, ifs and buts, giving parents and close relations a veto on personal, cultural and religious ground, making it morally dubious. No wonder this legislation does not have desired effects in Wales, hardly making a dent in organ shortages.
If Government wants to make it binding, then opt in or out should be done professionally, after consultation with Health Professionals, preferably GPs, children needing their parents’ consent as well. Once opted in, organs should be readily available without any one having a veto. Those who opt out should be barred from receiving such organs under NHS, as when we are recipients; cultural and religious sensitivity do not come into equation!
If only thousand more donors are available, organ shortages will be obliterated, saving thousands of lives who would contribute economically, thus reducing burden on NHS, a win win situation all rounds. After all ashes to ashes, dust to dust is the apt description to what happens to these organs after we depart. Let us hope that for once, our patronizing politicians will show courage of their conscious and give us legislation we deserve.
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
