Organ Transplantation Tourism: Upholding the Donee’s Right to Qualitative Health Care

Abstract

Transplantation involves transferring an organ, tissue or cells (OTCs) from one person (donor) to another (recipient). With all of the achievements of medical science as regards organ transplantation, organ shortage is a major global challenge facing transplantation. The rise in demand for organ transplants, especially in developed countries, is the basis for organ transplantation and tourism. The spread of illegal transplant tourism is causing horrific abuses. Added to this is the risk of transmission of infections or malignancies to recipients of solid organs, tissues, and eye grafts. However, it has been difficult to track donors of organs, tissues and cells and their medical history, making it difficult to guarantee patients’ safety. The paper, discusses organ transplantation tourism, recognising it as a reason for human trafficking. In doing this, it looks into the legal framework for organ transplantation and the right to health, acknowledging that what started with all good intentions, as a lifesaving procedure, has developed into a global problem for which urgent international collaboration is required. Therefore, it raises the issue of post-operation infection, as a possible public health concern. Lastly, the paper suggests coding and tracking as a means of controlling the spread of post-transplantation infections, by keeping a tab on what is donated, who gets what and the destinations of each donated organ.