Following the alarm raised over illegal organ harvesting, especially kidney in the FCT, Abuja, the Federal Government has vowed to prosecute any medical practitioner or individual involved in the act.
The Director, Media and Public Relations, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms Patricia Deworitshe, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.
She said, “The ministry condemns in totality such barbaric inhuman criminal practice of kidney trafficking revealed in the said report.
“We acknowledge the pain of those affected and wish to let the public know that the National Health Act (NHA) 2014 sections 51-56 prohibit such illegality.
“Persons who contravene or fail to comply with the provisions of the sections commit an offence and are liable on conviction or a fine of N1 million or imprisonment of not less than two years or both.
“It is pertinent to note that both the sellers and buyers of this illegal trade, as well as the medical practitioners and facilities where this criminal act is being performed, will face the full wrath of the law.”
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Deworitshe said, was looking into allegations levelled against medical practitioners engaged in such activities.
She maintained that kidney donation should be done based on informed consent of the donor and based on medical advice with privileged information about the process to save lives.
“While the Federal Ministry of Health remains committed to improving regulatory standards and practices to enhance effective and efficient healthcare system in line with the renewed hope agenda, the public is, hereby, advised not to engage in such illegal practice.
“The public should contact the Federal Ministry of Health on 08033228978 for any information that can lead to the arrest of such perpetrators.”
Punch Newspapers
