Organ Donation Gets Green Light

TDT | Manama

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Bahrain’s Cabinet has approved a crucial memorandum for introducing regulations on the transfer and transplantation of human organs. The move, aimed at advancing healthcare and saving lives, was based on a memorandum from the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs.

This signifies Bahrain’s commitment to becoming a leader in organ transplantation legislation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Way forward

MP Dr. Maryam Al Dhaen, who initially proposed this legislation in June last year, emphasized the importance of prompt action to establish a legal framework that supports organ donation.

Dr. Al Dhaen expressed her determination to push this vital issue forward in the upcoming parliamentary session, highlighting that clear legislation is essential for enhancing the country’s healthcare system and saving lives.

Talking about the need for a legislation to regulation organ donation in Bahrain, Dr. Al Dhaen stated, “Organ transplantation in Bahrain is a vital step to save the lives of patients and instil hope in their souls.

There is no doubt that the existence of organized legislation will save many patients suffering from serious health conditions.

I am optimistic about the approval of the esteemed Cabinet of Ministers of a draft resolution aimed at issuing the executive regulations of the Decree-Law on the Transfer and Transplantation of Human Organs, which is expected to contribute to improving the health system.”

Pointing out that reports indicate that a large number of patients in Bahrain require kidney and liver transplantations, the MP added that a right legislative foundation will result in significant reduction in waiting times, improve quality of life, and enable more patients to return to their normal lives.

Continuing reforms

Laws related to organ transplantation are witnessing continuous improvements, according to MP Maryam.

“The government is keen for the Kingdom of Bahrain to be a pioneer in this field, and we look forward to accelerating legislative procedures,” she said.

Further action

While action has been initiated, more needs to change to make organ donation a reality, says MP Maryam.

“I believe that we urgently need to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation through effective awareness campaigns, work on enacting laws that keep pace with scientific progress in the medical fields, in addition to investing in the fields of medicine and biotechnology, and enhancing cooperation with the GCC countries to benefit from successful experiences in this field.

Through this, the Kingdom of Bahrain will have the opportunity to improve the lives of patients and reduce waiting lists for organ transplants,” the MP stated.

She also highlighted the role the media can play in creating public awareness and cited the example of an Arabic newspaper that showcased numerous inspiring human stories related to organ donation.

Need of collaboration

By learning from the successes of advanced nations, Bahrain can establish a comprehensive system to support these critical medical procedures, ultimately easing the burden on the healthcare system, the MP noted.

She also highlighted the importance of collaboration with other GCC countries, pointing to successful legislative examples in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Dr. Al Dhaen expressed optimism that the draft law will be enacted swiftly, bringing tangible benefits to patients in Bahrain and solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a regional leader in healthcare innovation.