Health Ministry Defends Child Organ Donation Bill But Stays Silent On Survey Asking Schoolchildren First Without Parents’ Informed Consent

Health Minister Đào Hồng Lan. Photo: Vietnam Government Portal (VGP). Graphic: The Vietnamese Magazine.

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  • HRW Accuses Việt Nam of Misleading Partners on Labor Rights;
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Việt Nam Says Its Child Organ Donation Bill Protects Children; Parents Want to Know Why Children Were Polled First.

The Health Ministry is defending a bill that would, for the first time, allow minors to become tissue and organ donors in limited cases. But it has said nothing about the school survey that asked children for their views and their personal details before parents were consulted.

The draft amended Law on Donation, Removal, and Transplantation of Human Tissues and Body Parts was presented to the National Assembly on Oct. 21 by Health Minister Đào Hồng Lan. Under current law, only people 18 and older may donate.

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One response to “Health Ministry Defends Child Organ Donation Bill But Stays Silent On Survey Asking Schoolchildren First Without Parents’ Informed Consent”

  1. World Health Organization & United States Avatar
    World Health Organization & United States

    I am writing to bring to your attention a troubling issue that has emerged regarding organ donation initiatives in Vietnam.

    Recent reports indicate that the Vietnam Government has allegedly misled children into becoming organ donors through educational institutions. This has raised significant ethical concerns, particularly about the methods employed to promote such initiatives among young students.

    Key points of concern include:

    The lack of transparency surrounding the organ donation process presented to children.
    Insufficient informed consent measures, particularly among minors.
    The potential for manipulation by leveraging children’s trust in educational authorities.

    These developments require immediate attention to ensure the rights and well-being of children are protected. It is crucial that any organ donation campaign maintains ethical standards and prioritizes the ability of individuals, regardless of age, to make informed decisions.

    I urge you to consider investigating this matter further, as the implications of such actions can have lasting effects on trust in educational systems and government policies.

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