NMA FCT Chapter Expresses Concern Over Proliferation of Locally Sourced Organ Transplant Centres
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), FCT chapter, has expressed concerns about the proliferation of locally sourced organ transplant centres in the country, particularly for kidney transplants.
This situation is attributed to increasing poverty and ethical issues within the medical profession.
The Chairman of NMA FCT, Dr. Ugwuanyi Ugochukwu Charles, made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the NMA FCT Physicians Week, with the theme, “This is our chance: to get it right in the health sector.”
Dr. Charles emphasised the need to address the challenges faced in the healthcare system, including adequate financing, good governance, human capital development, infrastructure, health information systems, and access to essential medicines.
He raised concerns about the increasing incidence of end-stage renal diseases due to economic hardship and the abuse of over-the-counter analgesics, recreational drugs, and alcohol.
This has led to a surge in kidney transplant centres in Nigeria, which face ethical challenges and the risk of infringing on human rights.
Dr. Charles highlighted the need for strengthened ethical guidelines and education on organ transplantation.
The NMA FCT Physicians Week aims to create awareness and engage stakeholders in addressing issues within the healthcare sector to ensure better healthcare for Nigerian citizens.
The Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Tanko Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, acknowledged the government’s efforts to improve the healthcare sector and called for collaboration among relevant stakeholders to achieve the government’s objectives.
Source: Blueprint Newspaper
