An ethical and regulatory inquiry into organ donation in Zambia

Abstract

Zambia’s organ transplant program is plagued with a multitude of health sector challenges and resource deficiencies. An ethically and legally robust organ donation system practically suited for Zambia is necessary. The Research Report begins with an analysis and discussion of pertinent aspects of Zambia’s organ donation legislation and other international regulations influencing organ donation. Drawing on some key debates in the field, ethical perspectives of living and deceased donation are discussed. A critical evaluation of opt-in, opt-out and mandated choice systems of organ donation follows, with the successes and failures of the relevant systems discussed in countries that apply them. The influence of principlism is examined in each system and the question of what the best suited ethical and regulatory framework for organ donation in Zambia ought to be is addressed. An argument and recommendations are made for an opt-in system coupled with pertinent aspects of best practice models as being best suited for Zambia