Vigilance bodies set up to check illegal transplantation

LAHORE

The Punjab government has constituted District Vigilance Committees (DVC) in all districts of Punjab to identify, prevent and curb any illegality or violation of Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Act-2012.

The DCO of the district concerned would be the chairman of DVC while District Police Officer, District Officer Intelligence Bureau, District Officer Special Branch, Executive District Officer Health, Principal Medical College (Nearest Medical College) and Medical Superintendent of DHQ Hospital of the district concerned would be the members of the committee. The committee can co-opt any member with their approval. 

On the recommendation of Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Department, the Home Department has issued a notification in this regard, according to a handout issued on Monday.

The DVCs should function in accordance with its TORs. Checking of registered, unregistered hospitals and other groups involved in illegal transplant would be the responsibility of the committee. The committee would verify all sorts of complaints regarding illegal human organ transplantation activities. In case of any irregularity, the committee will take action and report to the monitoring authority. The committee will ensure no illegal transplantation is taking place in their territory. Checking of validity of permission for legal human organ transplant with regard to patient, donor and premises and checking of premises used for human organ transplant would also be responsibility of the committee. The committee obtained pictures of patients and donors to whom transplants have been performed.

Meanwhile, the competent authority has rejected the resignation of Prof Faisal Masood as Administrator of PHOTA and directed him to continue to perform his duties as usual.