The Federal Government has introduced standards and guidelines for establishing and coordinating organ and tissue transplantation services in the country.
Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, stated this, during the official launch of the standards and guidelines document in Abuja.
The minister said that the document is a significant milestone to enhance organ donation and practices in Nigeria; stressing that it is a life-giving opportunity that offers a second chance to individuals suffering from end-stage organ failure.
According to a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Alaba Balogun, Salako described the guidelines as a product of extensive collaboration among healthcare professionals, legal experts, professional bodies, media organisations and other key stakeholders.
Salako, who was represented by the Director of Hospital Services Department, Salahudeen Jimoh, said every detail was carefully scrutinised during the validation process to ensure it addresses the unique challenges facing Nigeria, adding that other Critical key areas of the document include ethics in transplantation, donor protection, transplant patients’ safety, minimum standards in Organ Transplant as well as the procedure to ensure compliance.
To further strengthen the regulations, the minister highlighted the importance of mapping and certifying all health institutions engaged in organ donation and transplantation to ensure they meet the highest standards of practice.