[WATCH] People can now donate their organs thanks to legally-binding registration forms

People willing to donate their organs

Registration forms have been released that will ensure that people's expressed wishes to donate their organs will be respected once they die.

Unlike the old donor card system, the organ donor registry – that will fall under the responsibility of the Superintendence of Public Health – will be legally binding.

Through the forms, people can choose to donate all their organs, none of their organs, or the organs of their choice. If a person doesn't fill up the form before they die, then the onus will fall on their next of kin to decide whether to donate their organs or not. People will be able to change the information on their forms if they change their minds.

The forms were officially launched at the Paola shopping centre by health minister Chris Fearne, who pledged to personally register himself as a full organ donor.

"The demand for organ transplants is currently higher than the number of available organs, and we believe that this registry will lead to more people applying as donors," he said. "Every organ donated is a life saved. The best Christmas present you can give a person awaiting an organ transplant is to register yourself as a donor."

He said that 140 people are currently awaiting organ transplants, with the majority in need of a kidney or cornea. In contrast, only 40 organ transplants were carried out this year.

“The current limiting factor is the shortage of organs. Now that the law is more clear-cut, hopefully more people will start offering their organs for donation.”

Organ donation forms can be submitted online, or manually at any health centre.