Military and RCMP Able to Record Organ Donor Wishes

Military and RCMP personnel are now able to record their wishes for organ and tissue donation in the Nova Scotia Health Card Donor Registry.

"Everyone should have an opportunity to share their wishes for organ and tissue donation," said Health Minister Jamie Muir. "We've made certain that this option is available to the thousands of men and women in the province who serve in the military or with the RCMP."

Since 1995, Nova Scotia health cards have identified individuals who want to be donors, as well as their specific requests. Military and RCMP personnel were not included in this database as they receive federal health coverage.

The Department of Health and the provincial Medical Services Insurance (MSI) administrator, Maritime Medical Care, designed a health card that ensures those who are ineligible for MSI can register with the central donor registry.

The Nova Scotia Health Card Donor Registry enables individuals to specify the organs and tissues they would be willing to donate. The information can be accessed online, 24 hours-a-day, by transplant program staff. There are more than 342,000 Nova Scotians registered in the database.

Those interested in joining the registry are encouraged to contact MSI at 902-496-7008 or toll-free at 1-800-563-8880. Additional information on organ and tissue donation is available through the Multi-Organ Transplant Program at 902-473-5500.

Registering in the database is important, and it is key for everyone to share their personal wishes for organ and tissue donation with their family.

To maintain organ and tissue donor status, anyone who had previously recorded their wishes on a driver licence must now register through the Nova Scotia Health Care Registry.