Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced new guidelines for organ transplantation, requiring all health facilities involved in the process to register and obtain licenses before operating.
Additionally, these facilities must establish independent Organ Transplantation Committees separate from their medical transplantation teams.
The government plans to conduct a nationwide inspection of organ transplant facilities to ensure accreditation and licensing by the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC).
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako, emphasized the importance of these guidelines, stating, “These guidelines provide a much-needed regulatory framework for organ transplantation.
“They aim to restore trust in organ donation in Nigeria by promoting transparency, accountability, and adherence to international best practices.”
Salako also highlighted the urgent need for these guidelines, citing cases of young Nigerians from poor backgrounds who have been victims of organ trafficking.
The new guidelines establish ethical standards for organ donation and transplantation, ensure informed consent, and outline clear processes for organ allocation.
The government will begin mapping and registering all healthcare institutions involved in organ donation and transplantation, ensuring that only certified facilities are authorized to perform these procedures.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachallom, described the initiative as a “lifeline and a game changer” for Nigeria’s healthcare sector, emphasizing the need for proper regulation to protect vulnerable lives.
