Organ transplant will require govt approval

Amputations and organ transplants cannot be done without government's consent in any of the hospitals in Bangladesh, says a draft law endorsed by the cabinet.

The proposed law titled 'Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 2017' also expanded the definition of "close relatives" while being approved during today's regular cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"The amended law has had some revisions," said Additional Cabinet Secretary Ashraf Shamim following the meeting. "Some new clauses have been added as well."

Regarding the draft law, the additional cabinet secretary said it will not allow any hospital to carry out organ transplant or amputation without government approval. However, specialised units in government hospitals will remain out of the provision's purview.

The law will allow organ transplant within "close relatives," he said, adding that the definition of relatives in this case will cover parents, children, siblings, couples, and blood relatives.

However, eye and bone marrow transplant will not require a blood-relative donor, he said.

3yr jail for illegal organ trade

The draft law also aims to check the illegal trade of human organs with a provision for three years of rigorous imprisonment or Tk 10 lakh fine or both for violation, adds UNB.

The additional cabinet secretary also said private hospitals have to apply to the authorities concerned to do the job within 60 days of enactment of the law.

As per the proposed law, there will be a medical board in every hospital for deciding the transplant matter and a National Cadaveric Committee to oversee the human organs transplant in the country.

Organ donation is the donation of biological tissue or an organ of the human body, from a living or dead person to a living recipient who needs a transplant.

In the name of organ donation, illegal trade of organs has reportedly been going on in the country for over a decade.

Wealthy recipients and brokers trick the poor and illiterate people into selling their organs by making false promises like high prices and jobs and travelling to foreign countries.

The existing law stipulates imprisonment for three to seven years, Tk 3 lakh as fine or both for violating the law.