Nigeria sets guidelines for organ and tissue transplants

Nigeria introduced comprehensive standards and guidelines for organ and tissue transplants in the country on March 6th.

According to AfricaNews, the new rules will regulate the sector which has historically been overrun with ethical concerns and exploitation.

The Health Minister, Dr Mohammed Ali Pate said the changes represent the Nigerian government’s commitment to saving lives via ethical transplant procedures.

These guidelines have been decided through collaboration with healthcare professionals, legal experts, media organisations, professional bodies, and other stakeholders.

In the past Nigeria’s organ transplant system has been affected by shortages of donors, cultural attitudes, and weak laws that exacerbate ethical problems, increasing the risk of human trafficking, which has disproportionately impacted the poorest in Africa.

Jimoh Salaudeen, director of hospital services at the health ministry said “In recent times, we have witnessed troubling incidents and other excesses with organ transplantation,” he went on to explain that “Nigerian victims from poor backgrounds who are targeted by criminal cartels, luring them with money or false promises of a better life,” are the main victims of this.

The guidelines have completely banned the sale of organs and tissue, moving to a donation only system. It is hoped this will aid in establishing transparency, while following international best practices. These guidelines include kidney, cornea liver, bone marrow, gamete and embryo donation, storage, and surrogacy.

AfricaNews, Maghrebi, DW, Business Insider Africa