By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

The Federal Government said yesterday the new policy guidelines on organ donations and transplantation in the country will be out before the end of December.

This came as the government decried recent unprecedented cases of irregularities and criminal exploitation in the sphere of organ donation and transplantation in the country, blaming the development on ignorance on the part of the victims and the sheer moral bankruptcy of members of the syndicates involved.

The government’s avowed determination to immediately release new policy guidelines followed the validation of the draft guidelines by critical stakeholders during a one-day stakeholders’ workshop meeting on organ donation and transplantation guidelines in Nigeria held in Abuja, yesterday.

The guidelines were developed by the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee, NTHISC, which was tasked with the responsibility, following its establishment under the National Health Act 2014 to set and uphold minimum standards for tertiary health facilities across the country as well as to overseas, the accreditation and regulation of organ transplantation facilities.

The document, which was reviewed and validated by the stakeholders, encompassed critical areas such as ethics, kidney transplantation, liver transplantation, eye tissue transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, and a chapter that addressed gamete and embryo donation, storage and surrogacy.

The Director of Hospital Services and Secretary, National Tertiary Health Institutions Standard Committee, Dr Jimoh Salaudeeen, told newsmen on the sideline of the event that the new guidelines would be out at most by next month (December).

“The guideline has already got its draft. The gathering is to validate it, bringing together other experts to look at it again for the second time, after which once the minister signs and forwards to Mr President and he approves, it becomes a policy,’’ he said.

Asked how soon the new guidelines would be out, Salaudeeen said: “I’m looking at next month at most, these guidelines will be rolled out and everybody would be forced to comply with it and maybe one month after, we will start monitoring to ensure compliance with that guideline. This is already established in the National Health Act 2024.”

Earlier in her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Kachollom Daju, who was represented by Dr Jimoh Salaudeen, expressed concerns, saying “in recent times, we have witnessed troubling incidents of alleged unwholesome practices involving organ harvesting.

“It may be difficult to ascertain when these incidents started in the country but the reality is here with us and it is imperative that we address these challenges head-on.”

‘’The guidelines, which are about to be finalised today (yesterday) aims to proffer solutions to problems that confront our health system today and those that may likely come up in the nearest future in the domain of organ donation and transplantation

“Today’s (yesterday) meeting provides us with a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue as we try to achieve a balanced guide. It is interesting to note that representations from different and diverse settings will engender invaluable insights and expertise that will contribute to refining the guidelines.

‘’I, therefore, expect and encourage open discussions, constructive feedback, and collaborative problem-solving as we work together towards a common goal: establishing best practices that will set a benchmark for organ donation and transplantation in Nigeria.

“I would like to commend NTHISC and the panel that worked tirelessly to produce this comprehensive draft. Their commitment, expertise, and collaborative spirit have been instrumental in developing guidelines that will not only address current challenges but also set a standard for ethical practice/conduct in organ donation and transplantation.

‘’The thoroughness with which they approached this task reflects their deep understanding of the complexities involved and their unwavering dedication to improving health outcomes for all Nigerians.’’
On his part, the NTHISC chairman, Prof. Philip Abiodun, said the establishment of robust guidelines for organ transplantation was vital for improving national health outcomes in Nigeria.

“Such guidelines will not only help regulate practices but also protect vulnerable populations from exploitation. When we address ethical concerns, strengthen legal frameworks, enhance healthcare infrastructure, and promote public awareness,we can create a more effective and humane organ transplantation system we can all be proud of,’’ he said.

He reminded that the mandate of the NTHISC in Section 54(3) of the National Health Act 2014, designated the committee as the authoritative body responsible for establishing criteria and procedures for approving organ transplant facilities nationwide.

“ In line with this mandate, the committee will disseminate the guidelines to our tertiary health institutions after validation and any other necessary processes and on the basis of compliance, the committee will commence registration and certification of these facilities.

‘’The aim is to entrench the culture of strict adherence to regulations and in tum, safety of organ donors and recipients in Nigeria, “he explained.