Kota Kinabalu: The family of a 47-year-old local who died of illness agreed to donate his corneas to help others restore their vision It was the State Health Department’s ninth organ donation this year.
State Health Director Datuk Dr Asits Sanna said the family of Jonathan Ho agreed to donate the corneas after being advised that they are still appropriate and can help individuals.
Jonathan, from Kg. Tuunon Kolopis, Penampang, received his bachelor's degree in computer information systems from Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu in 1999.
He was an expert in computer programming, active in the programmers' association and often involved as a guest speaker in ICT-related workshops to help the community in Sabah explore the field more deeply.
Family members described him as a friendly, cheerful person who always wanted to help the needy without hesitation.
The family members were glad to learn that the donated corneas had been successfully transplanted to two patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“The Sabah Health Department express our condolences and express deepest appreciation to the family for this donation,” said Dr Asits.
The Department also expressed appreciation to Queen Elizabeth Hospital which recorded eight cases of cornea (eye) donation and Queen Elizabeth Hospital II who recorded once case of various organ donation (liver, kidney and cornea) this year.
