JS passes bill to check illegal trade in human organs

The 'Transplantation of Human Organs Bill, 2018', was passed in Parliament on Tuesday with a provision of three years of rigorous imprisonment or Tk 1 million fine or both for violation of the law, aiming to check the illegal trade of human organs, reports UNB.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim moved the bill and it was passed by voice vote.

According to the bill, no hospital can conduct human organ transplantation in the country without government's approval while the public hospitals having specialised units in this regard can do the job without taking prior approval.

Private hospitals have to apply to the authorities concerned to do the job within 60 days of enactment of the law.

As per the proposed law, there will be a medical board in every hospital for deciding the transplantation matter and a National Cadaveric Committee to oversee the human organs transplantation in the country.

In the name of organ donation, illegal trade of organs has reportedly been going on in the country for over a decade.

Wealthy recipients and brokers trick the poor and illiterate people into selling their organs by making false promises like high prices and jobs and travel to foreign countries.