「如果沒有這次肺移植,我可能已經無法站在這裡。」這是51歲的肺移植者顏希煊先生今日在香港醫學會(以下簡稱「醫學會」)灣仔會所舉辦的「春耕行動2025」傳媒簡介會上的肺腑之言。曾因末期肺病而最後數月需24小時依賴呼吸機維生的他,在一位無私的捐贈者幫助下,成功接受肺移植手術,重新擁抱生活。他的故事,正是器官捐贈如何拯救生命的最佳見證。
今日的傳媒簡介會由香港醫學會會長鄭志文醫生、器官捐贈推廣委員會聯席主席陳以誠醫生、麥肇敬醫生及楊協和醫生主持,並邀得香港移植運動協會名譽會長周嘉歡醫生以及肺移植者顏希煊先生出席。會上介紹了本年度器官捐贈推廣步行「春耕行動2025」的詳情,並透過移植者的親身經歷,呼籲公眾認識器官捐贈的重要性,呼籲各位不僅登記為捐贈者,更應主動與家人溝通,讓愛與生命得以延續。
香港器官捐贈現況:需求殷切 但捐贈率長期偏低
香港醫學會自1994年起積極推動器官捐贈,並率先建立電子化器官捐贈名冊,後由衞生署於2008年接手管理,成立現時的「中央器官捐贈登記名冊」。然而,至今登記人數僅約39萬,遠未能滿足病人需求。全港每日有超過2,000名病人正輪候器官移植,但器官捐贈率長期偏低。根據立法會秘書處資料研究組數據顯示,2022年,香港每百萬人中只有4.7名器官捐贈者,僅相當於西班牙(46.0)和美國(44.5)等地的約十分之一,為全球遺體器官捐贈率最低的地區之一[1]。香港移植運動協會名譽會長周嘉歡醫生表示:「在2023和2024年,香港的器官捐贈率降至歷史新低,每百萬人僅分別有3.2人和3.9人進行遺體器官捐贈,這意味著原本有機會獲得重生的病人,最終因無法等到合適的器官而離世。」
關鍵一步:讓家人知道你的意願
在會上,香港醫學會會長鄭志文醫生表示:「提升器官捐贈率的關鍵,在於讓更多家屬願意履行逝者的捐贈意願。其實,除了登記率偏低外,另一大挑戰在於家屬的決定——即使病人臨床上適合捐贈器官,近半數[2]的家屬最終拒絕捐贈,主要原因是不清楚逝者的意願,或希望保留完整遺體。」他續指,許多市民雖有意捐贈器官,卻從未與家人討論,導致家屬在關鍵時刻因不確定逝者的意願而無法做出決定。根據現行政策,器官捐贈屬自願性質,即使市民已登記於中央器官捐贈登記名冊,亦不具法律約束力。加上現時社會上仍有不少固有的觀念,對器官捐贈的工作造成不少障礙,這使得許多原可用以拯救生命的器官,最終未能捐贈予性命垂危的病人。
鄭會長補充:「我們鼓勵市民不僅要登記成為捐贈者,更要主動與家人溝通。若市民能及早與家人溝通,並正式登記成為器官捐贈者,不僅能減少家人的決策壓力,亦能確保自己的意願得以實現,讓更多等待重生的患者獲得希望。」
「春耕行動」步行活動 凝聚社會力量,讓 生命接力
醫學會將於2025年4月13日舉辦「春耕行動」器官捐贈推廣步行活動,開幕典禮將於中環海濱舉行,隨後步行至灣仔海濱。醫學會器官捐贈推廣委員會聯席主席陳以誠醫生、麥肇敬醫生及楊協和醫生表示:「『春耕行動』因疫情暫停四年,今年得以復辦,實有賴各支持機構及贊助機構的參與。這次活動不僅是為了提高社會對器官捐贈的關注,更希望凝聚社會力量,為受器官衰竭影響的病人及其家庭給予一份支持。」
香港移植運動協會名譽會長周嘉歡醫生總結:「我們希望透過今天的故事分享,讓市民明白器官捐贈不僅拯救個人,更能改變整個家庭的未來。每個願意捐贈器官的人,都可能成為另一個家庭的希望。我鼓勵大家踏出行動的一步,登記成為器官捐贈者,並與家人溝通這個決定。你的選擇,或許就是另一個病人的新生契機。」
關於香港醫學會
香港醫學會成立於1920年,匯聚了在香港執業、服務市民的會員醫生,旨在為醫學界提供專業支援,促進醫學界的福祉,以及提升市民的健康水平。醫學會現有13,000多名會員,涵蓋不同專科醫生及醫科學生,致力以專業的態度服務社會。香港醫學會會徽誌有箴言:「維護民康」,以此表彰照顧病人是醫生的天職,醫學會並以倡導此信念為傲。
[1] 立法會秘書處資料研究組(衞生事務) 數據透視ISSH17/2023 https://app7.legco.gov.hk/rpdb/tc/uploads/2023/ISSH/ISSH17_2023_20230718_tc.pdf
[2] 政府新聞網 2019年12月22日https://www.news.gov.hk/chi/2019/12/20191222/20191222_152359_640.html
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“Had it not been for this lung transplant, I wouldn’t be standing here today”. That was the powerful message from a 51-year-old lung transplant recipient, Mr NGAN, Hei Huen Jason, at today’s Organ Donation Promotion Walk – Spring Sowers 2025 press briefing, hosted by the Hong Kong Medical Association (“HKMA”) at its Wanchai Clubhouse. Once dependent on a ventilator 24/7 due to end-stage lung disease, Mr NGAN’s life took a dramatic turn when a selfless donor gave him a second chance.
Now, he’s back to embracing life — living proof of how organ donation isn’t just about saving lives; it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and the future.
Today’s press conference, led by Dr CHENG, Chi Man, President of the HKMA, alongside Dr CHAN, Yee Shing, Dr MAK, Siu King and Dr YEUNG, Hip Wo Victor, Co-Chairpersons of the Committee on Organ Donation Promotion, introduced “Spring Sowers 2025”, our organ donation awareness walk. We are honoured to have Dr CHAU, Ka Foon, JP, Honorary President of Hong Kong Transplant Sports Association, and lung transplant recipient Mr NGAN, Hei Huen Jason, share his powerful story and reinforce a simple yet vital message: organ donation saves lives. Signing up is important, but so is talking to your family — because one conversation today could be the reason someone gets a second chance at life.
Organ Donation in Hong Kong: Thousands Waiting, But Too Few Donors
Since 1994, The HKMA has been at the forefront of promoting organ donation, establishing the city’s first Electronic Organ Donation Register (“EODR”), later evolving into today’s Centralised Organ Donation Register (“CODR”), managed by the Department of Health. But the reality is, we’re still far from where we need to be. Only 390,000 people have registered, while over 2,000 patients wait in hope every single day. According to the data from the Legislative Council Secretariat Research Office, in 2022, Hong Kong had just 4.7 [3]donors per million people — a fraction of Spain (46.0) and the U.S. (44.5). The demand is high, but the donor numbers are not keeping up. Dr CHAU, Ka Foon, JP, Honorary President of Hong Kong Transplant Sports Association, highlighted: “In 2023 and 2024, Hong Kong’s organ donation rate fell to an all-time low, with only 3.2 and 3.9 deceased donors per million people, respectively. For many patients, this sadly meant the difference between life and loss—the opportunity for a transplant simply never came in time. It’s time to change that.”
The Key Step: Make Sure Your Family Knows Your Wish
Dr CHENG, Chi Man, President of the HKMA, highlighted a key issue in organ donation: family consent. “Even if a patient is medically suitable for organ donation, nearly half of the families[4] ultimately say no, often because they’re unsure of their loved one’s wishes or want to keep the body intact,” he explained. Many people support organ donation but never discuss it with their families, leaving their family members to make a difficult decision in an emotional moment. Under the current policy, organ donation in Hong Kong is voluntary, and even if someone is registered in the Centralised Organ Donation Register, it is not legally binding. Unfortunately, deep-rooted beliefs and long-standing societal perceptions still pose significant challenges, making it harder for life-saving organs to reach patients in critical need. As a result, many organs that could have saved lives go unused. Dr CHENG urged the public to take action: “Registering as a donor is a great first step, but making sure your family knows your decision is just as important. When people have that conversation in advance, it eases their burden and ensures that your final choice can bring hope to those desperately waiting for a second chance at life.”
Spring Sowers 2025: Walking Together for a Life-Saving Cause
The HKMA is excited to bring back Spring Sowers 2025 on 13 April 2025 — a meaningful walk to promote organ donation. The event will begin with an opening ceremony at the Central Harbourfront, followed by a walk along the waterfront to the Wanchai waterfront. Dr CHAN, Yee Shing, Dr MAK, Siu King and Dr YEUNG, Hip Wo Victor, Co-Chairs of the Organ Donation Promotion Committee, shared their appreciation: “After four years on hold due to the pandemic, we’re grateful to see this event return, made possible by the participation of various supporting and sponsoring organisations. More than just a walk, this is a chance to bring people together, raise awareness, and show solidarity with patients and families facing organ failure.”
Dr CHAU, Ka Foon, JP, Honorary President of Hong Kong Transplant Sports Association, emphasised the bigger picture: “Through today’s story sharing, we hope people understand that organ donation doesn’t just save lives, but also transforms entire family. Every registered donor has the potential to give another family hope. We encourage you to take that step: Register as an organ donor and, most importantly, talk to your loved ones about your decision. Your choice today could be someone else’s second chance at life.”
About The Hong Kong Medical Association
Founded in 1920, the Hong Kong Medical Association (“HKMA”) unites medical practitioners dedicated to serving the people of Hong Kong. With a mission to advance the welfare of the medical profession and the health of the public, the HKMA has grown to a membership of over 13,000, comprising specialists, general practitioners, and medical students. The HKMA remains steadfast in its commitment to serving the community with professionalism and dedication.
The Association takes pride in its emblem, which features its Chinese motto, translating to “safeguarding the health of the people.” This motto embodies the sacred duty of every medical practitioner to care for their patients and uphold the highest standards of their profession.
[3] Legislative Council Secretariat Research Office (Health Services) Statistical Highlights ISSH17/2023 https://app7.legco.gov.hk/rpdb/tc/uploads/2023/ISSH/ISSH17_2023_20230718_en.pdf
[4] News.gov.hk 22 December 2019 https://www.news.gov.hk/chi/2019/12/20191222/20191222_152359_640.html