The number of people signing up to be organ donors in Qatar has jumped nearly 67 percent, thanks largely to Sheikha Moza’s endorsement of the practice, officials have said.

Some 2,000 residents hailing from 44 nationalities added themselves to Qatar’s organ donor registry during last month’s donor drive, many after the first lady herself signed up in early August, Hamad Medical Corp. said in a press release.

The majority of donors hailed from India, the Philippines and Qatar, it said.

That brings the total number of donors in Qatar up to 5,000 people, a spokesperson told Doha News.

Some 120 out of 500 people with kidney failure in Qatar await transplants and 14 patients are in need of new livers.

HMC plans to ride the momentum of last month’s drive by organizing company presentations and more activities to educate the general public to court more donors, she added.

Though doctors had initially hoped to allow residents to sign up to be organ donors through their driver’s licenses and Qatar ID cards by June 2012, that option still appears to be a ways off.

“The complex requirements and processes to be developed are still under review,” the spokesperson said.

Did you sign up to be an organ donor last month?

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Credit: Photo courtesy of HMC