By Oyebola Owolabi
Stakeholders yesterday made inputs into the Lagos State Organ Harvest and Transplantation Bill with the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, saying it will help government regulate the practice and prevent quackery.
The commissioner spoke during a public hearing organised by the House of Assembly to debate the bill.
According to him, the demand for organ transplantation was rising because of the improved use of advanced technology.
He said: “Technology is advancing dramatically around the world, and this has increased the demand for organ transplantation.
“It, therefore, makes it imperative that we put regulatory measures, policies and guidelines in place because wherever there is a demand, there is always an opportunity to abuse the process. But we don’t want any of our citizens to be taken advantage of, either through due process or illegally.”
Stakeholders who contributed described the bill as a move in the right direction.
The First Vice President of Transplant Association of Nigeria Prof. Awodunsi, who said the association had been working with the Ministry of Justice on the issue for a long time, noted: “It is a step in the right direction. A regulatory body is being set up for the first time to regulate organ harvesting and transplantation in the country. None had existed in the past and it provided a gap to many things. It’s a good starting-point for regulating transplantation.”
Speaker of the House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa, who was represented by Deputy Speaker Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, said: “We want to make sure that organs are available to those who need them, and also ensure that the best practice is observed in organ transplant in Lagos State.”
Obasa said the quality of the law will depend on stakeholders’ contributions through oral addresses and memoranda.
“But I want to advise that the department should be independent and membership of the committee increased.”
Dr. Bodunrin Oshunkomaiya, a blood transfusion consultant, said it was important to indicate the organs that were being discussed. She added that bone marrow, ovaries and embryos are also part of organs and so should be included in the list of organs referred to in the bill.
Oshunkomaiya also made a case for private hospitals, saying they should be included in the transplantation process as some have bio-bank facilities.
Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services Olusola Sokunle said the bill was long overdue due to the illegal sale of human organ by unscrupulous elements. According to him, the bill would regulate the harvest of human organ and also ensure the proper process is followed in transplanting human organs.
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