Considered a miracle of twentieth-century medicine, organ transplantation has experienced record-setting trends over the past decade, thanks to advancements in surgical techniques and overall patient care.
The donation of organs benefits not only the recipients but also their families, friends and colleagues who love and support those in need of transplantation. It represents a life-giving and life-enhancing opportunity for individuals who have exhausted all other avenues of hope.
When a person requires an organ transplant, it is typically due to one of their organs functioning poorly or failing. Undergoing an organ transplant can extend a person's life and enable individuals with chronic illnesses to achieve a normal lifespan.
According to the December 2024 International Report on Organ Donation and Transplantation Activities, global organ transplantation increased by over 9 per cent in in 2023, “an increase driven by an expansion of both deceased and living organ donation compared to 2022.”
In May 2024, member countries of the World Health Organization approved a draft resolution aimed at enhancing the availability of organ transplantation, ensuring ethical access and improving oversight of the transplantation of human cells, tissues and organs.
“The resolution lamented that there is still a noticeable lack of growth and asymmetrical development in transplantation worldwide, with many countries failing to establish the necessary systems, including legislation, governance, a specialised workforce, infrastructure and financing.”
The resolution, which includes a global action plan and monitoring framework, aims to prevent and combat human trafficking for the purpose of organ removal, as well as the trafficking of human organs. It also seeks to protect victims and survivors of these crimes by strengthening legislative frameworks.
However, the gap between the demand for and supply of organs continues to widen worldwide, fostering the rise of transplant commercialism. While the trade of solid organs is most prevalent in impoverished countries, the commercialisation of body parts, such as tissues, is also widespread in economically developed nations.
International travel for the purpose of undergoing commercialised organ transplantation remains a contentious issue that conflicts with the ethical principles of sound medical practice.
A variety of international legal instruments and transplant societies define, condemn and criminalise these practices, issuing statements related to organ commercialism.
The Sultanate of Oman, through a Royal Decree, has enacted laws that explicitly prohibit the sale or purchase of organs and human tissues. These laws impose severe penalties on individuals found guilty of coercion, fraud, or engaging in illegal transactions. Offenders will also face imprisonment and substantial fines.
A National Committee will be established within the Ministry of Health to oversee the implementation of policies, licensing and medical standards related to organ donation. The committee will also be responsible for promoting public awareness and ensuring ethical practices in this field.
Strict conditions have been established for living organ donations. Donors must provide voluntary written consent, and the recipient must be a close relative or spouse. In certain cases, donations from non-relatives may be permitted, but only with specific approval.
The sale or coercion of donations, especially when involving vulnerable individuals such as children or incapacitated persons, is strictly prohibited.
Although organ donation is a personal choice, an increase in participation could alleviate the suffering of thousands of individuals who die each year. Additionally, it would allow for the utilisation of numerous healthy organs that are either buried in cemeteries or cremated at funeral homes every day.
Though organ donation, whether from living or deceased donors, is gaining momentum, a widening gap still exists between the demand for and the supply of transplantable organs. And yet, tens of thousands of viable organs are lost each year instead of being allocated to patients who are desperately in need.
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