Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, the wife of the emir, visited HMC’s Qatar Organ Donation Center yesterday to register as an organ donor, according to Qatar News Agency. 

The visit, which comes amid a month-long campaign organized by Hamad Medical Corporation, was aimed at raising further awareness of the importance of organ donation.

The Qatar Foundation chairwoman said her gesture, and that of other donors, was a step toward self-reliance:

“Our aim in Qatar is to become self-sufficient as a country and every single one of us must reflect seriously, as our religious duty demands, on how we can play a part in this effort.”

HMC says the ultimate aim with its registration drive is to be able to bring down long wait times for those in need of tissue and organ transplants by having a larger pool to choose from and a higher match rate.

Kiosks at City Centre, Landmark, Hyatt Plaza and Lagoona malls are continuing to offer registration on-site during the month of Ramadan. They are also collecting blood donations.

Will you sign up to be an organ donor?

UPDATE: Some people have been asking if they need to register to be a donor in Qatar even if they’ve already registered in their home countries. Because registries are not linked, the answer is yes, you’ll have to re-register.

Credit: Released photo (via qatarisbooming.com)