A woman in Singapore had her organs donated following her death from a car accident.

Background to the accident

52-year-old Or Cheng Khim was hit by a lorry at the junction of Yuan Ching Road and Yuan Kuang Road.

She remained in a coma after she was sent to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and was declared brain dead on Jan. 14 before her family eventually decided to take her off life support.

Her family decided to donate her organs as they were still healthy.

Organs helped 5 patients

In a recent Shin Min Daily News report, Or's younger sister said that they had received a card from the National Organ Transplant Unit, thanking them for their "kind act" of organ donation.

Five patients were able to benefit from Or's organs:

• Both of Or's kidneys were used to save a 27-year-old man, and a 47-year-old woman.
• Her liver was donated to a 42-year-old mother.
• Both her corneas were also donated to two men, aged 21 and 82.

Or's sister told the Chinese daily that their family is still grieving and saddened by her death.

However, receiving such a card has brought them some comfort. They also said that they were happy for the organ beneficiaries.

HOTA & MTERA

There are two organ donation schemes in Singapore: Human Organ Transplant Act  (HOTA) and Medical (Therapy, Education and Research) Act (MTERA).

All Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who are 21 years old and above, and are not mentally disordered, are included under the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA), unless they have opted out.

Organ donors under HOTA will be able to donate their kidneys, liver, heart and corneas for transplantation in the event of death.

MTERA is an opt-in scheme for anyone aged 18 and above. The adult next-of-kin can also pledge the organs of deceased patients of any age for donation.

Compared to HOTA, which only includes specific organs, MTERA entails all organs and tissues, including skin and bone. The purpose of donation also goes beyond transplant, but also includes treatment, research and education.

Read more here.

Top photo via SGH/FB, Or Cheng Khim Facebook.