ILOILO – The Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 has sounded the alarm on the illegal sale of human organs, warning the public that organ trafficking is a serious crime now punishable under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.
In an official advisory, DOH-6 emphasized that the trade of human organs such as kidneys and livers — often carried out under exploitative conditions — constitutes a hidden but grave form of human trafficking.
The department stressed that the practice preys on vulnerable individuals, particularly those in desperate financial conditions, and undermines both public health and human dignity.
“Organ donation should be driven by compassion, not commerce,” DOH-6 stated, as it reminded the public that ethical organ donation must undergo strict medical screening and ethics clearance.
Failure to follow legal procedures constitutes a criminal offense, it added.
The agency also underscored that under Republic Act 11862, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and Republic Act 7170, which governs organ donation after death, organ trafficking is a human rights violation that transcends age, gender, and socio-economic status.
While organ donation remains a vital lifeline for many critically ill patients, the DOH-6 cautioned against treating it as a business opportunity or a viral trend.
The department called on the public to support ethical, transparent, and legally sanctioned organ donation to safeguard both donors and recipients.
“Let us build a community that upholds dignity, compassion, and the rule of law,” DOH-6 stated./PN
