ORGAN DONATION AND TRANSPLANTATION SYSTEMS IN NIGERIA: A COMMENTARY ON
CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
- Stephen Igwe,
- Fatoye Oluwasegun John,
- Rasheedat Shittu,
- Olufunmike Itunu Oyekunle,
- Enoch Olaoluwa Olatoye,
- Abdulmalik Opeyemi Adeyemo,
- Habeeb Olayinka Salaudeen,
- Abdulrahman Salahudeen Alatare,
- KEHINDE FADELE,
- Don-Eliseo Lucero-Prisno
Stephen Igwe
University of Ilorin College of Health Sciences
Corresponding Author:stephen.c.a.igwe@gmail.com
Author ProfileFatoye Oluwasegun John
University of Ilorin College of Health Sciences
Author ProfileRasheedat Shittu
University of Ilorin College of Health Sciences
Author ProfileOlufunmike Itunu Oyekunle
University of Ilorin College of Health Sciences
Author ProfileEnoch Olaoluwa Olatoye
University of Ilorin College of Health Sciences
Author ProfileAbdulmalik Opeyemi Adeyemo
University of Ilorin College of Health Sciences
Author ProfileHabeeb Olayinka Salaudeen
University of Ilorin College of Health Sciences
Author ProfileAbdulrahman Salahudeen Alatare
University of Ilorin College of Health Sciences
Author ProfileKEHINDE FADELE
University of Nigeria Faculty of Medical Sciences
Author ProfileDon-Eliseo Lucero-Prisno
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Department of Global Health and Development
Author ProfileAbstract
Nigeria's organ donation and transplantation systems remain
underdeveloped, yet they hold great potential to address the nation's
escalating healthcare challenges. This commentary provides a
comprehensive overview of the current state of organ donation and
transplantation in Nigeria, highlighting historical milestones, legal
frameworks, and the pressing issues that hinder progress, including
organ trafficking, cultural barriers, and inadequate healthcare
infrastructure. Additionally, it reviews the disparities in access to
transplantation services and the critical role of socioeconomic factors
in this divide. The commentary offers a forward-looking approach,
presenting key recommendations for policy reform, infrastructure
development, and public education. Implementing these strategies would
be pivotal in ensuring equitable access to organ donation services while
setting a precedent for medical innovation in West Africa. Ultimately,
this paper underscores the need for government action, international
collaboration, and community engagement to create a robust and ethical
organ donation framework in Nigeria.