Health
NMA appoints Okwuonu to lead organ trafficking fight
Janet Ogundepo
The Nigerian Medical Association has appointed the Chief Medical Director of the Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Umuahia, Dr Chimezie Okwuonu, to lead efforts to strengthen safeguards against organ trafficking and other unethical transplant practices in Nigeria.
Okwuonu will chair the association’s National Committee on Organ Transplantation Regulation from 2026 to 2028.
His appointment was conveyed in a letter dated September 21, 2026, and signed by the NMA Secretary-General, Dr Tamunokuro Diamond, on behalf of the association’s President, Prof Afekhide Omoti.
According to the letter, the committee will recommend measures to prevent organ trafficking, commercialisation, exploitation and other unethical practices associated with organ donation and transplantation.
It will also develop recommendations for a comprehensive regulatory framework and review existing laws, regulations, guidelines and ethical standards governing organ donation, procurement, allocation and transplantation.
The letter read, “I have the pleasure of the NMA President, Dr (Prof.) Afekhide Ernest Omoti, to inform you of your appointment as the Chairman, Committee on Organ Transplantation Regulation of the NMA, for the period of 2026 to 2028.”
The panel will propose standards for the accreditation, licensing and monitoring of transplant centres and related facilities to ensure that transplantation procedures comply with appropriate medical and ethical requirements.
It will also recommend safeguards covering donor evaluation, informed consent, confidentiality and the protection of donors and recipients from coercion or exploitation.
Other responsibilities include developing guidelines for transparent and equitable organ allocation, promoting public awareness of living and deceased organ donation and strengthening systems for organ procurement, preservation, transportation and traceability.
The committee will consider the financing and affordability of transplantation, insurance coverage and access to post-transplant care.
It will also recommend mechanisms for professional training and certification and propose the creation of national transplant registries, data collection systems and arrangements for monitoring outcomes and ensuring quality.
The Abia State Government, in its reaction, described Okwuonu’s appointment as recognition of his expertise and a source of pride to the state.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, said the government was confident that the physician would contribute to the development of safer and more ethical transplant practices.
“The Abia State Government described the appointment as a recognition of Dr Okwuonu’s professional expertise and a source of pride to the state, expressing confidence that he will bring his wealth of experience to bear on the development of safe, ethical and effective organ transplantation practices in Nigeria,” the statement said.
The government added that the committee’s work would strengthen safeguards against organ trafficking, exploitation and other unethical practices.
It congratulated Okwuonu and wished him a successful tenure.
The committee is expected to work with government agencies, regulatory authorities, professional associations, transplant centres and other stakeholders.
It will advise the NMA on emerging legal, ethical, technological and clinical issues and submit periodic reports and actionable recommendations to the association’s leadership.
Okwuonu is a consultant physician and nephrologist with clinical and research interests in chronic kidney disease, dialysis, kidney transplantation and therapeutic apheresis.
He is a former chairman of the NMA in Abia State and has participated in kidney transplantation programmes and research collaborations within and outside Nigeria.
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