The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has raised deep concern regarding the increasing instances of organ failure in Nigeria. He emphasized that this issue not only poses a significant medical challenge but also a societal one.
Kalu pledged that the parliament would collaborate closely with the Transplant Association of Nigeria (TAN) and other relevant authorities to effectively address these concerns. This commitment was made during a courtesy visit to the National Assembly in Abuja by Dr. Olalekan Olatise and the Transplant Association of Nigeria.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Kalu lamented the substantial drain on national resources due to the medical treatment of Nigerian citizens abroad, amounting to a staggering $2.5 trillion annually. He appealed to newly qualified medical professionals to pioneer the establishment of professional organ transplant practices within the country, aiming to bridge the existing gap in the nation’s healthcare sector.
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Kalu further underscored the distressing nature of the country’s reliance on organ transplants from foreign nations, particularly in the United States, India, United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates. He noted that numerous doctors have been compelled to provide their services abroad, leading to a considerable outflow of healthcare expertise.
The Deputy Speaker also highlighted a positive development, stating that more than 700 kidney transplants have been successfully conducted within Nigeria by members of the Nephrology Association of Nigeria.
Assuring continued support, Kalu conveyed the House leadership’s commitment to establishing the necessary legal framework to facilitate the smooth practice of organ transplant professions within the country. Additionally, he pledged other forms of essential support to the professional body involved.
