BY GERARD NAVAL

THE Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) yesterday assailed a new administrative order of the Department of Health that aims to curb an emerging "black market" of selling kidney and other organs to be used for transplants.

In a statement, Gene Alzona Nisperos, HEAD secretary general, said the AO has a lot of "holes" that would lead virtual legalization of trade in organs unless plugged.

He said that although the creation of the Philippine Network for Organ Donation and Transplantation (PhilNETDAT) - via the AO - was touted as a move to stop the trade of kidneys and illegal organ trafficking, it did not tackle the central issue of organ trade.

He noted the absence of a proper definition for "kidney sale" and "trade and commerce of kidneys."

"The lofty guiding principles and general policy statements contained in the DOH order are rendered inutile in the absence of clear-cut parameters and limits that should be set in very clear, unconditional terms to actually stop the trade of kidneys and other human organs. Otherwise, what are they really talking about?" asked Nisperos.

He also said the use of the word "gratuity" is vague as there is no mention on what the health department will label as "acceptable compensation" for the donor.

"There is also the absence of a description on how the DOH seeks to stop kidney trade outside the creation of a board," he added.

Last week, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III signed a new AO calling for the creation of a regulatory body to stop the abuse on the poor who are enticed to sell their organs for money.

Duque also said that payment as a pre-condition for kidney donation would be strictly prohibited as it should be made out of goodwill and as an act of philanthropy.

But he said the Board might still come up with a "gratuity package" for the organ donation in the form of health insurance, educational plan and livelihood assistance.