Ethical Challenges and Understanding of Organ Donation and Transplants in Tanzania

Abstract

It is an undeniable reality that many people are currently alive thanks to organ transplants and donations. Consequently, numerous individuals have been cured of health complications resulting from Acute Organ Failure through these interventions. In addition to this success, transplant teams and communities worldwide assert that the primary challenge facing this field is the disproportion between the number of viable organs needed and the available sources. This issue creates significant tensions and ongoing debates among scholars, as some maintain secular views while others adhere to non-secular opinions on the topic. The arguments put forward by these schools of bioethics introduce social, ethical, and legal complexities. As a result of this tension, many African countries, including Tanzania, find themselves in a difficult position regarding which standpoint will resolve these ethical, social, and legal issues while being compatible with their local context. This article elucidates the ethical complexities of organ transplants and donations in Tanzania. To address these complexities, the researchers observed that a significant number of Tanzanians are unaware of organ transplants and donations. Therefore, health education on organ donation should be enhanced for the majority through various means, including social media platforms.