Dr Altamash & Dr Fawad are a stigma on medical professional : CEO PKLI

Lahore : In the light of the ill-fated organ stealing incident that occurred in a private housing society, the other day Prof. Dr. Saeed Akhtar, President and CEO PKLI and Transplantation Society of Pakistan held an immediate press conference to straight away condemn the atrocious act and raise an appeal to the society at a large to give the issue of organ trafficking its due attention.

He said if it was not for the Punjab government’s quick response in catching those involved red handed, this issue that spreads all across Pakistan, might not have come to the surface at all. Dr. Saeed Akhtar said that Dr Altamash & Dr Fawad who involved in this heinous crime are a stigma on medical professional.

Dr. Saeed Akhtar further elaborated on the importance of setting up a centralized system in Pakistan that would ensure a legalized organ donation and organ transplantation. He said Pakistan Kidney and liver Institute & Research Center (PKLI) is willing to work on this closely with the government of Punjab to set up such a system and monitor its implementation.

He mentioned that such legalized systems in Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria, UAE have made them among countries that have high organ donation rates. Pakistan, however, does not appear on the list.

He said that although the public is accustomed to the idea of donating blood, donation of organs after death continues to be a problem. Lack of awareness and uncertainty about Islamic viewpoint on organ donation are the main reasons of low organ donation rate in our country.

Dr. Saeed Akhtar further said that passing of the “Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act 2010” has brought down the heinous practice of organ trafficking to a considerable extent and has improved the irate of living organ donation, however, the level of deceased organ donation rate is still negligible. This can be changed by raising public awareness through proper forums and dispelling any misconceptions that people may have about organ donation. Health care professionals and religious scholars are a critical link here since their attitudes and beliefs can influence public opinion.

Dr. Saeed Akhtar said that Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is taking keen interest in early completion of this project.

He disclosed that PKLI first phase would be completed by the end of this year which is consisting 300 beds. He said “Insha Allah”, Ist transplantation operation would be carried out in December 2017 at PKLI. This institute would be a state of the art center of international standard where transplantation would be carried out legally and all ethical formalities would be upheld, he added.