The FCT chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), has called on the National Assembly (NASS) to enact laws specifically aimed at addressing and preventing organ trafficking in the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, the chairman of FCT NMA, Charles Ugwuanyi, said with specific laws, Nigeria can make efforts towards eradicating organ trafficking and protecting the well-being of its citizens.
Mr Ugwuanyi said the existing law governing organ transplants in the country is limited in depth, hence unable to address emerging issues.
“It only requires the donor to be above 18 years of age and the fact that there is no financial inducement for the donation,” he said.
Illegal organ trading
The briefing was organised to address the allegation of illegal kidney trade involving Alliance Hospital, an Abuja-based medical facility.
Daily Trust in an investigation published on 10 December, detailed the thriving economy of illegal kidney trade in the FCT and how agents operate freely, luring young men from low economic backgrounds to sell their kidneys.
The investigation also highlighted how Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges have contributed to the travails of the young men who sell their kidneys without minding the long-term repercussions, as Nigeria has no regulatory body in charge.
In a reaction to the findings via his official X account, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, clarified that there is a policy and legal framework that enables regulation of health practice in Nigeria, including medical transplantation.
Mr Pate said Sections 51-56 of the National Health Act 2014 (NHA 2014) prohibit the illegality uncovered in the investigation, adding that the central issues concern the enforcement practices and evasion of the regulatory guidelines by criminals.
The minister further noted in his reaction that his ministry recently inaugurated the Tertiary Hospitals Care Standards Committee to enhance the effectiveness of the government in regulating practices.
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He noted that in the proposed 2024 appropriation directed by President Bola Tinubu, “we slated significant resources to enhance such regulations and curb the criminality experienced by Nigerians over so many years in the past.”
Fair Judgement
In reaction to this, Mr Ugwuanyi said every potential case must be given a balanced judgment by constituted authorities.
He called on the relevant government authorities and the legislative arm of government to review the laws. He also expressed worry that organ harvesting may become a common practice soon if nothing is done.
“So, we can project that in the next few years, there will be a lot of organ harvesting. Therefore, we must and we will keep calling on our government to strengthen laws guiding them,” he said.
