Reps Move to Curb Organ Sales, Drive Sweeping Health Sector Reforms

By Fatima Ndagi
The House of Representatives is advancing far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare sector, including measures to curb the illegal sale of human organs by vulnerable citizens, Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has disclosed.
Abbas made the remarks on Wednesday during a public hearing by the House Committee on Healthcare Services on seven health-related bills at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Represented by Deputy Chief Whip Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka, he said the proposed legislation aims to strengthen ethical standards, close regulatory gaps, and standardize practices across the country’s healthcare system.
“These bills will directly impact the healthcare sector and save the lives of young people who, in desperation, sell their organs without understanding the long-term health implications,” Abbas said.
He praised Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, Chairman of the Committee, for ensuring that the bills align with the 10th House’s legislative agenda to foster a more accountable and ethically compliant healthcare system.
The bills under consideration seek to overhaul Nigeria’s healthcare sector through a series of comprehensive reforms, including the establishment of a regulatory body for organ harvesting, transplantation, and donations, the creation of the Nigeria Surrogacy Regulatory Commission, and amendments to the National Health Act 2014 to set up a National Quality Accreditation Commission and a Federal Tertiary Health Institutions Commission.
They also propose the creation of the Chartered Institute of Medical Dialysis Studies, amendments to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency Act to enhance efficiency, the introduction of a mandatory retirement age for health workers, and measures to prohibit and penalize organ trafficking.
Abbas emphasized that these reforms aim to improve professionalism, curb unethical practices, and standardize procedures across Nigeria’s health institutions.
“We are formalizing unregulated or loosely governed areas of medical practice that undermine public wellbeing,” he said.
He highlighted that the bills would strengthen oversight of sensitive sectors such as organ transplantation and surrogacy, enhance dialysis services, improve primary healthcare delivery, and address the ongoing health workforce crisis caused by emigration of professionals.
“These reforms could reduce Nigeria’s reliance on foreign medical care, saving an estimated $2 billion spent annually on medical tourism,” Abbas noted.
He added that closing regulatory gaps and standardizing healthcare practices would help combat organ trafficking, save lives, and boost national productivity.
The Speaker described the public hearing as a demonstration of the House’s commitment to participatory democracy.
“I expect all participants to deliberate freely and patriotically, helping us create a framework that promotes best practices in healthcare delivery,” he said.
Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, Committee Chairman, echoed Abbas’ call for inclusivity, describing public hearings as “the lifeblood of democratic engagement.” He urged stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, civil society groups, and community leaders, to provide input to ensure the legislation is both technically sound and socially responsive.
“Together, let us build a healthcare system that reflects the dignity, resilience, and aspirations of our people, ultimately achieving universal health coverage,” Magaji said.
He assured participants that the committee would refine the bills to meet national and global standards, stressing that transparency and inclusive policymaking would guide the process.