Dubai: An online advertisement selling kidneys has raised legal issues and caused concern among nephrologists in the UAE.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), shortage of organs is
a universal problem, and the international organ trade has been
recognised as a significant health policy issue in the international
community.
The advertisement on the online classifieds website stated: ‘Dear kidney patient, if ur looking urgent b+ kidney from donors pls contact [number]’.
The advertisement on the online classifieds website stated: ‘Dear kidney patient, if ur looking urgent b+ kidney from donors pls contact [number]’.
In the UAE, the Federal Law No (15) of 1993 regulates the transfer and
transplant of human organs, and Article No (7) prevents and prohibits
sale of organs.
According to Advocate Mohammad Ebrahim Al Shaiba, Al Shaiba Advocates
and Legal Consultants, Dubai, the sale of human organs is a crime, and
it is against the law to sell or buy organs by any means or receive a
tangible return.
He told Gulf News, “Any advertisement for sale of organs is against the
law. Trafficking of human organs by any means is prohibited. One could
go ahead with criminal procedures against the website and the person who
placed the ad [selling kidneys].”
To access the potential dangers of such advertisements in the medical context, Gulf News spoke to a few nephrologists.
Dr. Sameh El Sayed, Nephrologist at Al Zahara Hospital, Sharjah, said,
“The problem with such ads is that these can open the gates for organ
trade, especially because renal failure incidence is on the rise,
fuelling demand for kidney transplantation. Diabetes is the leading
cause of renal failure and the UAE leads the prevalence of diabetes
worldwide.”
An advertisement to find a kidney donor breaks the confidentiality
between the donor and receiver of the transplanted kidney, said Viorica
Khalili, Nephrologist at American Hospital Dubai. “It is best for the
patients in need of kidney transplantation to discuss with his or her
nephrologist about options available and guidance. “
Dr. Harith M. Mohammed Saeed, Consultant Nephrologist at Al Qassimi
Hospital in Sharjah cautioned against such advertisements. He said,
“Donors can be close relatives who have to undergo medical, social and
psychological assessments.”
Elaborating on the current demand for kidney transplantation, Dr Saeed
said that there are more than 1,500 patients on dialysis programmes in
the UAE and the number is increasing every year. It is estimated that
there will be about 135 new patients per million (population). “This
places an enormous requirement on renal transplant programmes,” he said.
Dr. Paulose Thomas, Professor of Nephrology, and Nephrologist at
Belhoul Speciality Hospital, Dubai, said that newspapers and online
websites shouldn’t accept such advertisements. “Further the public
should be told that buying and selling an organ is a criminal offence,”
he said.
A spokesperson from the online classified website told Gulf News, “The
ad has been removed and that user’s account has been deactivated. It is
an unfortunate situation; these types of ads are clearly prohibited on
the site.” - GN