Lawmakers Push Reforms To Regulate Organ Trade, Surrogacy

Lawmakers Push Reforms To Regulate Organ Trade, Surrogacy

Regulation of organ transplants, surrogacy, and other sensitive medical practices is under review as the House of Representatives considers new healthcare laws.

The measures aim to curb exploitation and enforce stricter ethical standards across the sector.

Speaking at a public hearing on seven health-related bills, organized by the Committee on Healthcare Services, the Speaker of the house, Dr Abbas Tajudden said the reforms are designed to protect vulnerable Nigerians, particularly young people who sell their organs without understanding the health risks and strength oversight across to the medical sector.

“The passage of these bills will save the lives of innocent young people who sell their organs for a pittance, unaware of the health implications.

Represented by the Deputy Chief Whip Ibrahim Isiala, Dr Abbass explained that the legislation is also intended to close gaps in medical regulation, standardize healthcare practices, and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign medical treatment, which costs the country an estimated $2 billion annually.

According to him, the Proposed measures include establishing a National Organ Transplantation and Donation Authority, a Surrogacy Regulatory Commission, and amendments to the National Health Act to improve oversight, quality control, and efficiency in health institutions.

Other bills focus on dialysis services, primary healthcare delivery, and workforce retention.

Committee Chairman Amos Magaji said the public hearing allows citizens, health professionals, and civil society groups to shape legislation.
“Public hearings are the lifeblood of democratic engagement,”

“They allow us to listen, learn, and legislate with clarity and compassion.”

The House will review input from the hearing before the bills move to the next stage of debate and potential passage.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji