By THE INDEPENDENT UG
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Scientists at Mulago National Referral Hospital are diligently working to establish a fully-fledged organ transplant unit, having successfully conducted Uganda’s inaugural kidney transplant in December. Nevertheless, the strides in health technology have brought about concerns regarding illegal transplantation, especially considering the high demand for organs, such as kidneys. Currently, over a thousand Ugandans are on dialysis, eagerly awaiting surgery.
Kidney specialist Dr. Robert Kalyesubula highlights the challenging legal framework in Uganda, which, he asserts, makes illegal organ transplantation difficult. Unlike some other places, Mulago strictly accepts donors who are not only willing but also biologically related. These potential donors undergo a rigorous screening process involving more than fifty tests before receiving approval.
Despite these measures, allegations of kidney theft have surfaced in both government and private hospitals, with recent incidents reported at Mubende Regional Referral and Old Kampala hospitals. Kalyesubula reassures that there are stringent safeguards in place to prevent a patient checking in for one surgery and ending up undergoing an unauthorized transplant.
Dr. Frank Asiimwe, the head of the Mulago Transplant Unit, elaborates on the severe penalties outlined in the law. A doctor involved in the sale of a kidney could face imprisonment for twelve years, with their license revoked for five years for a first-time offense.
To further address concerns about organ trade, Uganda has tightened regulations, including the cadaveric program, which prohibits harvesting organs without the donor’s explicit consent while they were still healthy.
Despite these reassurances, there are current concerns about the transplant unit operating without a waiting list, leaving uncertainty about which patient will undergo surgery next. The Minister is expected to establish a transplant council, with plans for it to be reshuffled annually.
********
URN
Discussion about this post