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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

National plan to regulate organ donation in Oman

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Muscat, Oct 7 - The Minister of Health has issued a ministerial decision (179/2018) regulating the transfer and transplantation of human organs and tissues in the Sultanate. The decision, issued by Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Saeedi, Minister of Health, and published in the official gazette, says a technical committee should be constituted to develop a national programme which will regulate the process of transplantation of human organs and tissues by establishing necessary conditions and penalties in case of violations.


The committee will also be authorised to propose conditions and procedures for licensing specialised centres for the collection and preservation of organs and tissues for transplantation, and approval of transfer of organs and tissues to non-relatives.


Article 4 of the regulations specifies the conditions for transplant of human organs and tissues from a living donor.


Transplantation shall be undertaken only if convinced that it is the best available treatment.


The law adds that donations may be made only through a written consent of the donor. It is prohibited to exert any psychological or financial pressure, kind or moral coercion, to obtain approval.


It stipulates that the identity of both parties (donor and the recipient) shall not be revealed to each other unless there is a mutual agreement. An administrative fine of RO 3,000 will be imposed in case of violations.


It stipulates that advertisements of any type promoting the sale and purchase of organs and human tissues should be avoided. Violations will be penalized with a fine of up to RO 6,000.


It said the donations between non-relatives can be undertaken only if there is an urgent need, provided it is approved by the technical committee.


A fine of RO 10,000 will be imposed in case of violation of the terms of transfer of the organ or human tissue of the deceased.


It also stipulates that the donor should be not a minor and must be in close relationship with the recipient. A detailed examination of the donor before the donation must be conducted and he/she should be aware of possible health consequences of the transplantation.


On the issue of donation of human organs and tissues from the deceased, the law says a written document is necessary to transfer the organ or human tissue from the deceased. The only exception is if the transplant is carried with the consent of guardian of the deceased.


The law strictly prohibits any type of organ or human tissue transplantation for non-therapeutic purposes.


It states that each authorised health institution can carry out transplants under the supervision of an internal committee consisting of at least three doctors, who shall be authorised to approve the transplantation.


The committee shall be approved by the minister and the transfer shall be carried out only after the approval of all members of the committee. It should also be based on report of a competent doctor confirming need for a donor for the operation.


The regulation confirmed that the transfer of organs and human tissues and transplantation may be carried out only in the health institutions specified by the technical committee in line with the laid out guidelines, which include that the medical personnel shall be licensed by the ministry.


The committee should be convinced that the transfer or transplantation of the organ or human tissue is the best way to save the life of the donor.


On completion of the transplant, the competent physician must prepare a detailed report on all procedures of the operation and maintain a record as per the guidelines set by the committee.


Vinod Nair


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