Organ Harvesting: Culprits Will Face Sanctions – Minister

Minister of health and social welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali Pate, has condemned what he described as barbaric and inhuman criminal practice of kidney trafficking.

The minister, in a statement signed yesterday by the director, media and public relations in the ministry, Patricia Deworitshe, said the National Health Act (NHA) 2014 Sections 51-56, prohibits such illegality.

He said, “Persons, who contravene or fail to comply with the provisions of the section, commit an offence and they are liable on conviction or a fine of N1million or imprisonment of not less than two years or both.

“It is pertinent to note that both the seller and the buyer 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 minister said.
Pate said donation of kidneys should be on informed consent of the donor, done based on medical advice with privileged information about the process in order to save lives.
However, he said the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) is looking into allegations levelled against medical practitioners engaged in such activities.