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1:53pm 18/06/2024
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A father’s gift of life
Tan’s siblings respect him as an organ donor.

MUAR: A 23-year-old son has consented to donating his father’s organs for others to have a new lease of life after the father was diagnosed with brain dead on 13 June.

Melvin Tan Zhe Qian, the only son of Tan Chee Hoon, 59, decided to help others instead.

Tan sells durian at Aljunied in Singapore, took a bus from Singapore to Seremban to visit an old friend on 10 June.

He collapsed during dinner and was rushed to Seremban Hospital.

The hospital later confirmed Tan was suffering from acute myocardial infarction and his condition deteriorated.

The family members in Muar were notified on 11 June and rushed to Seremban Hospital where the first brain dead test was performed on 13 June.

When approached by doctors whether the family would consider donating Tan’s organs, Melvin decided to donate a pair of corneas, a pair of kidneys and liver after having a discussion with family members.

“Doctors were surprised that we were able to make a quick decision on donating his organs,’’ said Melvin.

A second test was performed in the afternoon on the same day which confirmed Tan as brain dead.

The hospital performed a surgery at midnight on 14 June to make way for organ transplants.

Hospital staff were accompanying the family members throughout the period and answered all their questions, said Tan’s sister.

The family members learned more about organ donation where the cornea could be transplanted on more than one patient.

It is learned that Tan is the 7th organ donor of Seremban Hospital this year.

“Although my father does not pledge his organs and both of us have never discussed this topic, I believe he will agree to the gifts of life as a giving person,’’ said Melvin to Sin Chew Daily on Father’s Day at Tan’s wake.

Tan was cremated on 17 June.

Tan used to sell durians in Muar for many years and he was well-known among the peers.

He switched to selling durians in Singapore more than one year ago.

Tan Chee Hoon with son Melvin Tan Zhe Qian (L); A family photo of Tan Chee Hoon (with glasses).

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