Action to be taken against hospitals involved in illegal organ trade
By Asim Hussain

ISLAMABAD—Monitoring Authority for Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues has decided to take strong action against hospitals /institutions that are involved in illegal organ trade. The recognition of such hospitals/institutions will be withdrawn in case they are found involved in illegal practices and further panel action will be taken in the light of the ordinance
The decision to this effect was taken at 4th meeting of Monitoring Authority for Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Ejaz Rahim, Federal Caretaker Minister for Health here on Tuesday.
The meeting decided to take strong action against hospitals /institutions that are involved in illegal organ trade. The recognition of such hospitals/institutions will be withdrawn in case they are found involved in illegal practices and further panel action will be taken in the light of the ordinance. The meeting was apprised of the recommendations of inspection teams with respect to the various hospitals/institutions inspected. The Federal Caretaker Minister strongly emphasized the need for adhering to the prescribed criteria for grant of recognition to transplantation units. It was decided that full recognition will be granted to those transplant units that have a full time nephrologists. The meeting reiterated the resolve that donation of organs will only be allowed by those blood relatives which according to the ordinance means parents, off springs, siblings and spouse.
Donation by non close blood relative can only be allowed if documentary proof is furnished that no living close blood relative is fit to donate his /her organ owing to disease or non matching of tissues. In such cases the case will be discussed by the evaluation committee of the recognized hospital and will allow or disallow in the light of the proof furnished. It was also decided to set up three sub committees to prepare draft protocol rules for Liver transplantation, Corneal transplantation and Stem Cell transplantation.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Health Khushnood Akhtar Lashari, Maj. Gen (R) A.K. Usmani, Administrator Human Organ Transplant authority, Prof. Muhammad Umar, Head of Gastrology , Rawalpindi Medical College, Prof. Shad Mohammad , President Ophthalmology Society of Pakistan, Peshawar, Dr. Huma Qureshi, Ex.Director PMRC and representatives of World Health Organization.