SC seeks report on illegal transplant of human organs

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday sought report from the federal and provincial health secretaries pertaining to illegal sale and transplant of human organs.A two-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, heard a suo moto case pertaining to illegal transplant of human organs in Punjab hospitals.

One Dr Adeebul Hassan of the Pakistan Society for Transplantation had written a letter to the chief justice, mentioning the names of two hospitals — Al-Syed Hospital, Rawalpindi and another hospital in Gujrat — wherein cases pertaining to the problems being faced by either the donors or by the patients — in the transplantation process of human organs.

In pursuance of the court order, the government of Punjab submitted a report saying that Al-Syed Hospital is a registered body and has so far sought permission for three cases of transplantation of human organs. It was further submitted that an inquiry was being conducted in the instant issue.

Similarly, the court was informed that there was no record available regarding Gujrat hospital, adding that it was not registered for the said purpose.During the course of hearing, Dr Babar Awan, counsel for Al-Syed Hospital, while appearing before the court, contended that the police are bent upon harassment of the personnel of his client.

The court, however, observed that if the police harass the said hospital, the management of the hospital could approach the relevant forumThe counsel submitted that under the law only family members were allowed to donate human organs; however, he said that some time during the transplantation process in most of the cases usually blood group of the donors could not match with the patients due to which human organs were to purchase from outside

At this, the chief justice observed that if there was any lacuna in the relevant laws, it could be modified; however, the illegal transplantation of human organs has defamed the country. The CJ said that according to an international organisation, Pakistan has become the biggest donors of transplantation of human organs.

Babar Awan replied that India is at No 1 in transplantation of human organs while Pakistan is at No 3 position.The chief justice said that India should not be followed in wrongdoings, adding that even if Pakistan is at No 3, this is also not good.

Meanwhile, the court sought report from the federal and provincial health secretaries  in the matter with the direction that to submit factual report over the illegal transplantation of human organs and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.