Africa-Press – Cape verde. Cape Verde’s parliament approved today, in general and unanimously, the proposed law on organ donation, harvesting and transplantation, which will be free and with presumed consent.The law was approved in the first parliamentary session in December by the unanimous vote of the 62 deputies present at the session – the parliament has 72 deputies -, of which 32 are from the Movement for Democracy (MpD, in power) parliamentary group, 26 are from the African Party of Independence of Cape Verde (opposition) and four from the Independent and Democratic Cape Verdean Union (UCID, opposition).
During the debate in general, opposition deputies drew attention to the existence of an “excess of remissive standards”, that is, which need to be regulated, and therefore asked for the diploma to be provided with maximum foresight and normative status.
PAICV deputy Josina Fortes, the only one to declare her vote, reinforced this idea, also criticizing the “total absence of guidelines” in the diploma, asking that security for the recipient be one of the points to improve in the specialty.
In the discussion, the most sensitive point was the issue of consent, which will be presumed, for people who have died in an accident or as a result of it.
When presenting the diploma, the Minister of Health, Filomena Gonçalves, highlighted that the ultimate aim is to “save lives”, saying that the law will give hope to more than 300 people who undergo dialysis daily in the country’s two central hospitals.
He also said that the “social norm” will promote altruism, have a greater range of donors, and in the matter of presumed consent, it will reduce the family burden, save more lives and simplify the administrative process.
Noting that the law respects individual autonomy, the holder of the Health portfolio showed openness to discuss the proposals within the specialized commission, but also to promote communication, awareness and clarification in Cape Verdean society.
Another suggestion raised during the debate was the possibility of private health establishments being able to carry out organ transplants, with the minister saying that the objective is for it to be done in the best way possible, safely and respecting the legal framework.
Without prejudice to criminal, civil and disciplinary responsibilities, fines for those who break the law vary between 80 thousand escudos (725 euros) and 1.2 million escudos (10.8 thousand euros), amounts that will be allocated to the State (60% ) and the health regulatory authority (40%).
The law, which has long been demanded by the medical profession in Cape Verde and which has been waiting for several years to be taken to parliament, will come into force six months from the date of publication.
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