Oman's organ donation law to combat illegal trade, reward donors
A key feature of the legislation is the introduction of a prestigious medal to honour organ donors. The medal, details of which will be outlined in a future Royal Decree, will be awarded to living donors. In cases where the donation is from a deceased individual, the medal will be presented posthumously to the donor's next of kin or spouse in recognition of their life-saving contribution.
The law is structured into five chapters with 36 articles, outlining procedures for both living and deceased organ donations. A National Committee will be established within the Ministry of Health to oversee policy implementation, licensing, and medical standards related to organ donations. The committee will also be responsible for promoting public awareness and ensuring ethical practices in the field.
A prominent aspect of the law is its firm stance against the illegal trade of human organs. Article 7 explicitly prohibits the sale or purchase of organs and human tissues, with severe penalties for those found guilty of coercion, fraud, or illegal transactions. Offenders may face imprisonment and significant fines.
Strict conditions have also been established for living organ donations. Donors must provide voluntary written consent, and the recipient must be a close relative or spouse. In certain cases, donations from non-relatives may be permitted, but only with specific approval. The sale or coercion of donations, particularly involving vulnerable individuals such as children or incapacitated persons, is strictly prohibited.
Medical institutions involved in organ transplants are required to be properly licensed and adhere to strict ethical and medical standards. Accredited facilities must have ethics and medical committees to ensure that all procedures are conducted in line with scientific and moral principles. To protect both donors and recipients, the law grants donors the right to withdraw their consent at any point before the transplant procedure begins. Any agreement contradicting this right will be deemed invalid.
The law also offers lifelong incentives to citizens who donate organs, encouraging this selfless act. Penalties for violations are severe, with prison sentences of up to ten years and fines of up to RO100,000 for offenders.
Entities found guilty of participating in illegal organ trade may face fines of up to RO5mn and the suspension or closure of their operations. Additionally, the law encourages the reporting of illegal activities, offering whistleblowers exemption from penalties if they prevent crimes before they occur.
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