Malaysians among dead after China surgeries

NST: Malaysians have died from botched organ transplant operations in China, though there is no record of their number.
National Kidney Foundation vice-chairman Datuk Dr Zaki Morad Zaher said he was aware of Malaysians who went for organ transplants in China having died there due to complications, and also of some who died or suffered serious complications on their return.
"We do not have the exact numbers because almost all of them go on their own for the organ transplants, mainly kidney transplants," Dr Zaki said in response to the Japanese probe on the deaths of its citizens who received organ transplants in China.
Dr Zaki, the Health Ministry’s consultant nephrologist, said his colleagues in the public and private sectors had informed him of their patients having gone to China and dying of complications, and of some having died on their return.
"Organ transplants are done commercially in China. It is important that those who perform such major operations meet international standards," said Dr Zaki.
It is learnt that many Malaysians, especially the elderly, diabetics and heart patients, go to China in the hope of getting organs, but end up with complications and severe infections leading to their deaths.
It is understood that many of those who died were not fit for the operations, which cost them between RM70,000 and RM100,000.