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By Ng Wan Ching
A FORMER top civil servant and his sister have made local medical history by becoming Singapore's oldest living kidney recipient and oldest living donor.
Mr Cheong Quee Wah, a former permanent secretary at the ministries of Defence, Home, Environment and Law, is 65. null
His sister, Madam Chiang Juet Ho, is 68.
When Madam Chiang donated her kidney to Mr Cheong in April, she became Singapore's oldest living kidney donor and he the oldest recipient of a living-donor kidney.
That was confirmed by Professor A Vathsala, director of the Adult Renal Transplantation Programme at the National University Hospital.
The news comes at a time when the Ministry of Health is planning to remove the age cap for cadaveric donors.
But never mind making history. Mr Cheong feels blessed not only because of his sister's deed but from similar selflessness from others in his family.
He was diagnosed with chronic nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys) in 1968 and has suffered from kidney failure for almost 30years.
His condition deteriorated slowly, but late last year, doctors told him he had no choice but to go on dialysis.
That was when his sister offered her kidney.
Although already 68, she was found fit enough to be a donor.
Waited for kidney
Despite his worsening condition, Mr Cheong held off going on dialysis until he could be transplanted with Madam Chiang's kidney.
This is known as pre-emptive kidney transplantation and is advised.
Madam Chiang was not the only one who stepped forward to offer the gift of life to Mr Cheong.
Almost all his family members offered to donate their kidneys.
When he first knew he had to have a transplant or face dialysis, he spoke to his wife.
She immediately offered her kidney, but it was not a match. Her blood type and his differed.
It was the same with his 32-year-old daughter - her blood type did not match her father's.
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