ORGAN SALE STOPPED ON ITS TRACKS – SECRETARY CABRAL

Almost six months after the enforcement of the Rules and Regulations Implementing (IRR) Section 4(g) of Republic Act No. 9208, also known as the Anti-Trafficking In Persons Act of 2003, in relation to Section 3(a) of the same Act, on the Trafficking of Persons for the Purpose of Removal or Sale of Organs on June 21, 2009, there has been virtually zero incidence of organ trafficking in the country, according to Social Welfare and Development Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral.

However, Secretary Cabral said that there is one case in Mindanao which is under investigation.   The transplant surgeon in question and his assistants have been suspended from performing transplant surgery  in the Mindanao Hospital and the Hospital has been ordered by the Department of Health to cease and desist from performing transplant operations while the case is under investigation.

Secretary Cabral co-chairs the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) with Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Agnes Devanadera as chairperson represented by DOJ Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor.

“The Council has not received any report on transplantation of organs from living non-related Filipinos to foreigners since the IRR took effect,” Undersecretary Blancaflor added.

Meanwhile, known as a staunch advocate against human trafficking, Secretary Cabral said that “our advocacy efforts have paid off.  We have stopped the sale of human organs dead on its tracks and have prevented further exploitation of the poor.”

Secretary Cabral further said that the positive result was made possible with the earnest support of the Philippine Society of Nephrology headed by Dr. Benita S. Padilla and Dr. Alberto Chua, who gave substantial inputs in the crafting of the IRR.

The IRR states that no foreigner may receive an organ transplant from a living non-related Filipino donor.

The IRR also emphasizes that the selling or buying of human organs is strictly prohibited.  Nonetheless, the right of transplantation of voluntary and altruistically donated human organs for therapeutic purposes is not hampered.

Secretary Cabral noted that exploitation of poor Filipinos especially by foreigners was rampant before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo banned the transplantation of organs of Filipinos to unrelated recipients last year.

To monitor and regulate organ donation, the IRR requires all hospital administrators to submit a monthly report to the Department of Health (DOH) on the transplantation performed.

Meanwhile, the law imposes up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of not less than P1 million but not more than P2 million on any one found guilty of engaging in the “buy and sell” of human organs.  ### (DSWD – Social Marketing Service) December 3, 2009