Lawmakers praise comprehensive new organ transplant rules

TDT | Manama

Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The Kingdom of Bahrain has entered a new era in the field of organ transplantation with the implementation of the Implementing Rules of the Human Organ Transplantation Act.

The new regulations that were recently approved introduce significant changes and additions to the existing legal framework.

The most important element of the new regulations is the legalization of organ transplants from people who have been declared brain dead.

The move is expected to significantly increase the availability of organs to patients who need them.

These regulations also prohibit certain practices related to organ transplantation and donation, including a ban on organ transplantation that could lead to confusion as to the origin of the organs, and a ban on buying and selling organs by any means.

A central committee was established to oversee the implementation of the new regulations.

This committee will be responsible for managing and regulating all aspects of human organ transplantation in Bahrain.

Medical experts and members of the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives expressed optimism that the detailed regulations would help provide organs to patients in need, especially those who need kidneys or livers.

This goal will be achieved through donations from brain-dead people and living donors.

Kidney Transplants Dr Hani Al Saaati, a member of the Shura Council, stressed the urgent need for kidney transplants in Bahrain, stating that there are currently 800 kidney patients in the country.

He stressed that 10-15% of these patients, or 80-100 cases per year, require a kidney transplant to reach the globally recommended rate.

Dr Al Saaati revealed that 20 successful kidney transplants have been performed in the past year, after a gap of more than a year.

He expressed confidence that Bahrain would achieve the target transplant rate in the next two to three years thanks to a robust programme and available resources.

Economic benefits Dr Al-Saaati highlighted the significant economic benefits of performing organ transplants in Bahrain.

He pointed out that kidney patients currently cost the government about $20 million a year for dialysis sessions alone, not including other costs such as health care services, transportation, medicines and various types of treatments.

He also explained that each dialysis session costs around BD 80 to BD 120, with patients typically undergoing three sessions a week, for a total of 12 sessions a month.

This translates to BD 1,500 per month and BD 18,000–25,000 per year for each kidney patient.

Cost comparison Dr Al-Saaati emphasised the cost-effectiveness of kidney transplants performed in Bahrain compared to those performed abroad.

He said kidney transplants in Bahrain cost less than 40% of the total costs abroad, with the average cost in the country being around 6,000 Bahraini dollars.

The same procedure abroad costs around BD25,000 for the transplant alone, excluding accommodation, medicines, flights and other expenses. This can increase the total cost of a kidney transplant abroad to BD100,000.

Important decision MP Dr Mahdi Al Shuwaikh, member of the Services Committee of the Council of Representatives, hailed the decision of the Minister of Health as an important step forward.

He stressed that the issuance of implementing regulations for the act is a legal necessity in order to implement the law.

The legislator also stressed that organ transplantation is a complex issue that carries significant humanitarian, social and medical implications.