Salman for action against illegal organ trade

LAHORE: Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique visited the Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority (PHOTA). Director General PHOTA Prof Aamir Zaman Khan was also present on the occasion. The minister also chaired a meeting on the occasion. All the directors of PHOTA attended the meeting. The minister reviewed the performance of the institution in detail. It was decided to convene a meeting of the PHOTA monitoring authority next week. It was also decided to follow up on the PHOTA Amendment Bill. Khawaja Salman Rafique directed to tighten the noose around the elements involved in the illegal business of human organ transplantation.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister paid tribute to the services of the legend of the medical community and the first DG of PHOTA, Prof Faisal Masood. PHOTA is a dynamic institution which, Insha Allah will be made more active. Important decisions will be taken in the next meeting of the monitoring authority. PHOTA has been directed to create a registry of donors. PHOTA sub-offices will also be made more active. A meeting will be held soon with PHOTA and PHIMC regarding the CM's Special Initiative for Transplant Programme, the minister said, adding health institutions in Punjab are being strengthened.Meanwhile, health minister also visited Jinnah Hospital here where he met Chairman Board of Management Gohar Ijaz, Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College Prof Tayyaba Waseem, Irfan Ali, Najeeb Faisal and C&W team. The minister directed all heads of the departments to be present in their offices. He also directed to activate the queue management system for the convenience of patients. Khawaja Salman Rafique visited the emergency, slip counter and other departments of the hospital, visited the patients and took feedback on the medical facilities.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that MSs should create facilities for patients. Providing better treatment facilities to patients in hospitals is government’s top priority. The situation is being reviewed by continuously visiting government hospitals. The problems reported by the patients should be resolved immediately. We are identifying and guiding the problems in hospitals on a daily basis.