Opinions and Awareness Among Resident Northern Nigerian Muslims on Human Organ Donation and Transplantation

Abstract

The increase in the number of end stage organ diseases in the World and of the ageing population have led to the search for treatments, one of which is organ transplantation. The alarming rate in the rise of such diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa coupled with its poor health care system and general lack of awareness among its populace are issues of monumental concern. Nigeria being the most populous country in Sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated population of over 206.14 million is a classical example of this lack of awareness especially in the Northern part of the country which has the highest percentage of Muslims. While data on vital organ diseases and on human organ donation and transplantation in relation to resident Nigerian Muslims is not available, this is not an indication that Muslims do not suffer from these diseases and would not need organ transplantation. Although Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, Islam plays a significant role in the lives of Muslims hence the necessity of finding out the Islamic law perspective on human organ donation and transplantation. Following a detailed analysis of the questionnaires administered, this paper titled: “Opinions and Awareness Among Resident Nigerian Muslims on Human Organ Donation and Transplantation” found out that the majority of resident Nigerian Muslims are not only uninformed about organ donation and transplantation but are doubtful of its permissibility, especially donation after death, Consequently, the paper recommended the need to enlighten Muslims on both living and deceased donations.