27-04-2025
Royal Decree issued to regulate human organ and tissue transplantation in Oman
Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has issued Royal Decree No. 44/2025 promulgating the Law on the Regulation of Human Organ and Tissue Transfer and Transplantation in the Sultanate of Oman.
The Decree was issued following consultation with the Council of Oman and in response to public interest.
The provisions prohibit the sale or purchase of human organs, parts, or tissues through any means, and the acceptance of financial compensation in exchange for donations.
It also bans all forms of advertising, promotion, mediation, or financing related to such practices without a license from the Ministry of Health.
The transfer and transplantation of human organs and tissues must comply strictly with the law.
Any procedure carried out in violation of its provisions is prohibited. Furthermore, financing the transplantation costs is forbidden if it is established that the donation was made for financial gain.
The law also bans any transfer that could lead to the mixing of lineages.
To honour organ donors, they will be awarded a special medal, which its designation, rules, and benefits will be established by Royal Decree.
In the case of deceased donors, the medal will be awarded in their name to their next of kin or spouse.
The law also sets out conditions for organ and tissue transfers between living persons. Donations must be voluntary, with donors possessing full legal capacity and providing written consent free from any defects of will. A kinship or marital relationship up to the fourth degree must exist between the donor and recipient, with additional conditions for cross-national marriages. Donations to non-relatives are permissible only in cases of urgent medical necessity and in accordance with regulatory controls.
All transplantation procedures must receive prior approval from both the Organ Transplantation Ethics Committee and the Medical Committee.
The Minister of Health will issue the executive regulations and the necessary decisions for the implementation of the new law within one year from the date it comes into force.
Until then, existing regulations and decisions shall remain applicable, provided they do not contradict the new provisions.
