Organ trafficking in Kinshasa: an unfounded rumor
For several weeks, the city of Kinshasa has been plagued by growing insecurity characterized by an upsurge in kidnappings. Faced with this situation, rumors began to circulate about the trafficking of human organs in the region. However, the Deputy Minister of Public Health, Hygiene and Prevention, Doctor Olen Obe Nzem Serge, recently wanted to reassure the population by highlighting the technical and logistical obstacles that make this practice extremely difficult, if not impossible, to carry out. in Kinshasa.
In a statement during a joint briefing with his colleagues from the interior and from communication and media, Doctor Olen explained that an organ transplant requires a specialized infrastructure, qualified professionals and conditions of conservation and appropriate transportation. He pointed out that the removed organs have a limited lifespan, which makes handling and transporting them extremely delicate. For example, a heart can only survive 3-4 hours outside the body, while a liver can only remain viable for 6 hours. In addition, an organ transplant requires a trained and experienced medical team, as well as a minimum intervention time of 12 hours.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted the lack of expertise and technical facilities in Kinshasa to carry out such transplants. He recalled that this practice is not allowed in the country and that it requires years of training and infrastructure development to put in place.
The Minister of Interior, Security and Customary Affairs, Peter Kazadi, reinforced Dr. Olen’s remarks by assuring that the government could not be complicit in crimes such as organ trafficking. He said the security services had not received reports confirming such cases and urged any possible victims to come forward.
Despite official declarations, psychosis persists in the population, fueled by social networks and circulating rumors. The provincial government of Kinshasa has announced measures to strengthen security in the region, including mixed patrols and checkpoints to track down the kidnappers.
It is important to remember that the dissemination of false information can have harmful consequences, creating panic and distrust among the population. It is therefore essential to check the sources of information before sharing rumors and to rely on official statements to keep informed of the reality of the situation.
In conclusion, although security remains a major concern in Kinshasa, it is important to debunk unfounded rumors such as organ trafficking. The statements of the competent authorities show that the technical and logistical conditions necessary to carry out an organ transplant are not met in the region. It is therefore important to rely on reliable and verified information to form an informed opinion on the situation