Licensing Requirements for Organ Transplant Facilities in Nigeria

FG’s New Mandate on Organ Transplant Facility Licensing

The Federal Government of Nigeria has introduced comprehensive standards and guidelines to regulate organ and tissue transplantation services nationwide. As part of these measures, all health facilities involved in organ transplantation must now be registered and licensed before commencing operations.

Key components of the new guidelines include:

• Mandatory Licensing: Health facilities must obtain proper licensing to perform organ transplant procedures, ensuring they meet established standards.
• Establishment of Transplantation Committees: Facilities are required to set up independent, facility-based Organ Transplantation Committees, separate from their medical transplantation teams, to oversee ethical practices and decision-making processes.
• Nationwide Inspections: The government plans to conduct inspections of organ transplant facilities for accreditation and licensing by the National Tertiary Health Institutions Standards Committee (NTHISC).
• Creation of a National Organ Transplantation Registry: Efforts are underway to establish a registry to promote transparency and accountability in organ donation and transplantation processes.

These guidelines aim to address ethical concerns, protect donors, ensure informed consent, and establish clear processes for organ allocation. The initiative seeks to restore trust in Nigeria’s organ transplantation system by promoting transparency, accountability, and adherence to international best practices.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako, emphasized the importance of these guidelines in light of rising cases of unethical practices, including organ trafficking. He highlighted that the guidelines are designed to build trust in Nigeria’s organ transplantation system by ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to international best practices.

This regulatory framework represents a significant step toward enhancing and regulating organ donation and transplantation practices in Nigeria, aiming to save lives through ethical procedures.