Analysis of the legal framework on donation and transplantation of organs and cells in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Background: Due to rapid advances in transplantation medicine, the use of human organs, tissues and cells for transplantation has steadily increased during the past decades. Nevertheless, the success of organ transplantation has led to a huge imbalance between the scarce supply and the abundant demand for available organs for transplantation. The imbalance is one of the main reasons for illicit activities in this domain. The aim of this article was to review the most important legislative acts which regulate the activities in the field of donation and transplantation of organs, tissues and cells in the Republic of Moldova. The development of an appropriate transplant system in the Republic of Moldova represents a priority for the Government and specifically for the Ministry of Health to ensure high standards of quality and safety as to the procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of human organs, tissues and cells. Conclusions: In the Republic of Moldova there is an ongoing development in law enforcement and implementation of quality assurance standards. The law on transplantation of organs, tissues and cells of human origin was adopted by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova in March 2008. According to the new legislation the Transplant Agency was created as a public body in May 2010. Despite multiple efforts made by the Ministry of Health, Transplant Agency and other state institutions to improve the legal framework there are still some deficiencies to be overcome by adopting normative acts to prevent cases of trafficking in organs and tissues or other illicit activities in this area.