State-of-the-art kidney transplant unit opens

PESHAWAR: The Institute of Kidney Diseases at Hayatabad Medical Complex unveiled its newly established “transplant unit” on Friday. 

This specialised unit is equipped with a 23-bed ward, a full-fledged operation theatre, a 5-bed

ICU, and a highly skilled medical team. Advisor to the chief minister on Health, Dr. Riaz Anwar, Dr Mazhar Khan, director, IKD, Dr. Usman Haroon representing the International Transplant Association (UK), former IKD transplant surgeons Dr. Asif Malik and Dr. Attaur Rahman, Dr. Taqi Khan from RMI, Medical Director Dr. Shahzad Akbar, Hospital Director Dr. Faisal Shahzar, Dr. Sher Zaman, and IKD faculty members attended the ceremony. Dr. Riaz Anwar hailed the transplant unit as a milestone.

Dr Mazhar Khan spoke about the unit’s pivotal role in establishing a sustainable transplant programme, nurturing expertise, and enhancing surgical outcomes.

Dr Fazal Manan said the unit is expected to boost the number of transplant surgeries and reduce infection risks. Dr Usman Haroon, a transplant surgeon from the UK, expressed his commitment to supporting the programme.

Dr Shahid Khan, another transplant surgeon, announced plans to increase transplant procedures, including pediatric transplants and cadaveric transplants.

Surgeon Dr. Asif Malik commended Dr. Mazhar Khan’s for efforts and promised full cooperation from Medical Transplantation Regulatory Authority.

It’s worth noting that the transplant programme at the IKD faced a two-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the retirement of Dr. Asif Malik, the current director, Dr. Mazhar Khan, formally initiated the programme, elevating it to international standards.

Patients currently face financial challenges due to the suspension of the health card system, which has resulted in substantial costs for operations and medications. The transplant registrar had urgently appealed to the government for funding to provide free transplant operations and medications to lessen the financial burden on patients.