PHOTA allowed to conduct emergency transplant

LAHORE:Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority has been given permission to conduct emergency transplantation. A policy for organ transplant of foreign nationals has been approved.

The 33rd meeting of the Monitoring Authority of the Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority (PHOTA) was held in the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department under the chairmanship of Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique.

The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary Technical Dr Muhammad Waseem, CEO Punjab Healthcare Commission Dr Saqib Aziz, Dean PKLI Prof Faisal Saud Dar, Prof Arif Nadeem, Dr Asif, Prof Izhar Chaudhry, DG PHOTA Prof Shahzad Anwar, officers of the Home and Finance Departments.

The performance of the Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority was also reviewed during the meeting. The terms of reference of the executive committee of PHOTA were approved. A detailed discussion was held on the registration of government and private hospitals for transplantation. During the meeting, details of government and private hospitals registered for transplantation were also presented. During the meeting, PHOTA was approved to pay the arrears of the financial year 2023-24.

Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said on this occasion that the capacity of the Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority is being increased. Meanwhile, the minister visited Jinnah Hospital here on Wednesday.

Special Secretary Development Department Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Chairman BOD PIC Dr Farqad Alamgir, Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College Prof Asghar Naqi and MS Jinnah Hospital Dr Kashif Jahangir were also present. The minister visited Angiography, Cardiology Department, Cath Labs and other departments and reviewed the medical facilities in detail. He also reviewed the ongoing progress in the revamping areas.

Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College, MS Jinnah Hospital and others briefed the minister on the project. The minister said that creating facilities for patients in government hospitals was the top priority of the government. C&W department has been directed to complete the ongoing revamping project at Jinnah Hospital Lahore on an urgent basis. The minister also directed to further improve cardiology facilities in the hospital.

Award ceremony

The health minister attended the Best Achievement Award ceremony organised for the business and journalist community at a local hotel as a special guest. On this occasion, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry, Dr Waqar Riaz, Shahid Iqbal, Lala Jamshed, Nasir Naqvi and other officials attended.

The minister also gave away Best Achievement Awards to prominent personalities from the business and journalist community on this occasion. He said that under the leadership of CM Maryam Nawaz, efforts were being made to provide the best health facilities to the people.