Numerous concerns have been raised by Nigerians about the proliferation of a thriving black market and illegal activities related to organ donation, harvesting, and transplantation within the country. This issue has emerged due to reports of a growing number of illicit organ removals from individuals without their consent, often for transplantation purposes or commercial sale.
Recently, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in reported cases of organ harvesting, involving the removal of vital organs like kidneys, liver, and heart, among others. Kidneys are particularly targeted due to their high demand and higher chances of success in transplantation.
A notable incident in this regard involved Ike Ekweremadu, a former Deputy President of the Senate, who was sentenced to nine years and eight months in a UK prison. He was found guilty of being a central figure in an attempt to harvest a kidney for his ailing daughter from a trafficked young man in London. This marked the first organ trafficking conviction under the Modern Slavery Act.
Most reported cases of organ harvesting in the country have involved compulsion, deception, abduction, and the exploitation of vulnerable Nigerians, particularly those living in poverty or marginalized communities. For instance, a mechanic named Chimaobi Eric Nwoko alleged that he was misled into donating his kidney to another person named Osinachi in exchange for a promised $20 million, a house in the United States, and a job.
Chimaobi, who is now struggling for his life, is urging the suspect to fulfill the compensation promise, as the suspect’s brother, Osinachi, has fully recovered while Chimaobi’s health deteriorates.
In a similar case, the Plateau State Police Command arrested a medical doctor, Noah Kekere, for allegedly harvesting a kidney from Mrs. Khende Kamal without her knowledge, causing her chronic pain for several years.
The prevalence of organ harvesting in Nigeria can be attributed to the absence of regulations and a governing body overseeing organ transplantation. Contributing factors include the lack of regulation and enforcement of medical ethics, poverty, inequality, and unscrupulous medical practitioners.
Expressing concern about this issue, the chairman of the Medical Consultants Association of Nigeria at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Amisu Mumuni, emphasized the need for a regulatory body to oversee organ harvesting and transplantation, especially in Lagos State. He acknowledged the absence of such regulation in the past and welcomed the introduction of a new department to address this issue.
Dr. Usha Anenga, the Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association in Benue State, emphasized that poverty is a driving force behind illegal organ harvesting. He highlighted the absence of specific guidelines for organ donation in Nigeria and called for a unified document that regulates the practice, involving stakeholders, experts, and proper enforcement.
In summary, the growing concern in Nigeria revolves around illegal organ harvesting and transplantation due to a lack of regulations, exploitation of poverty, and the absence of proper guidelines and enforcement. Efforts are being made to address this issue by establishing regulatory bodies and guidelines to protect individuals from illegal organ harvesting.