FG sensitises Nigerians on foreign hospitals trafficking in human organs

Abuja – The Federal Government on Monday appealed to Nigerians to be conscious of foreign hospitals indulging in illegal trading in human organs.

The Director of Hospital Services in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Wapada Balami, made the call through a letter addressed to the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA.

In the letter dated 11th October, 2017 Dr. Balami said a number of hospitals were being tried by Egyptian government in relation to the crime.

The letter, titled: “Re: 41 suspected illegal human kidney traffickers on the trail in Egypt,” reads: “I am directed to refer you to the above subject matter and to inform you that information reaching the presidency revealed that there is an increase in illegal harvesting of and transplanting of human organs.

“Presently, Egypt Prosecutor-General has arraigned 41 suspected human kidney traffickers. The Prosecutor’s Office gave the names of the complicit private hospital located in Giza, Cairo, Egypt as follows: Dal al Shefa in Helwan, Cairo; Al Bashan Specialist Hospital in Faisal Giza; Al-Aman Centre for General Surgery in Mauriteya, Giza; and Dar Ibn Al Nafis Hospital, Giza.

“Kindly note and disseminate this information to all doctors in the relevant specialties to be aware so that Nigeria will be circumspect while embarking on medical tourism in other countries.”

Recall that Nigerians loses about $800 million (N125 billion) to medical tourism, according to the NMA. Nigerians, especially the rich, are fond of seeking medical treatment abroad, even when such services are available in the country.