Trading in human organs illegal: DHA

Dubai Health Authority regulations prohibit trading of human organs. In a circular issued with regards to organ transplants and donations in the emirate, the authority urges private healthcare sector to abide by the laws, reported 'Emarat Al Youm'.

As per the law, trading in human organs is illegal and surgeons with knowledge of the same cannot proceed with the treatment under any circumstance. Similarly human organs can be donated only at centres licenced by the Ministry of Health.

Surgeons and specialists are permitted to remove organs from the deceased or the living for transplants only in life-threatening situations. However, human dignity should be preserved at all costs, the regulation says.

The circular also states that the donor must be explained the side-effects, if any, of the procedure, as well as the physical and psycological changes in them following the operation. Also confidentiality must be maintained about donors' identity at all times.

In case of donation after death, approval of close relations or a will by the deceased stating his approval of donating a particular organ is mandatory. If several people claim their right over the deceased, then approval from most of them in writing is required before an organ can be removed from the body. The will by the deceased must have been written in the presence of at least two witnessess, says the regulation.

Similarly confirmation of a donor's death must be confirmed by a panel of at least three specialists not including the surgeon performing the transplant.

The new regulation also allows the donor to retract from his decision anytime before the physical removal of the organ from his body, without any explanation.

The donor must be in good physical and mental health and it is the responsibility of the doctors to confirm this, added the regulation.

The DHA urged the medical sector to adopt GCC's unified directory on organ transplants as a guide.

It concluded that any violations will be met with stern diciplinary action, in accordance with the law.

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