By Oluwakemi Kindness
The House of Representatives has advanced a bill seeking to establish a National Deceased Organ and Tissue Donation Programme to second reading, paving the way for further legislative consideration of a framework for organ donation and transplantation in Nigeria.
The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, and six other lawmakers, seeks to establish a national system for deceased organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
The proposed legislation aims to provide a comprehensive framework for organ and tissue donation, recovery, allocation and transplantation while safeguarding the rights and dignity of donors, recipients and their families.
It also seeks to promote equitable access to transplantation services and strengthen safeguards against organ trafficking, exploitation and the commercialisation of human organs and tissues.
Under the proposed framework, provisions would cover the determination of death, consent for donation, the right to refuse donation, organ allocation, patient safety and accountability in transplantation.
The bill also seeks to establish a national authority to oversee deceased organ and tissue donation and transplantation, with the aim of ensuring that the process adheres to ethical standards and protects the interests of those involved.
Its provisions further address family support, transparency and public confidence in the transplantation system.
The proposed programme is intended to create a coordinated national framework for deceased organ and tissue donation while ensuring that transplantation services operate within clear legal and ethical standards.
The bill’s advancement to second reading allows lawmakers to debate its general principles before further legislative consideration.
