Experts call for joint efforts to promote cadaver organ transplants

Experts at a national conference on illegal organ transplants in Pakistan urged all sections of the society to join hands for the promotion of deceased organ donations in the country so that the lives of thousands of patients facing end-stage organ diseases could be saved.

The conference, titled ‘Illegal Transplants of Organs and Promotion of Deceased Organ Promotion in Pakistan’, started at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) here on Friday to discuss means to promote deceased organ donations to curb illegal transplants of organs.

Speakers, including transplant surgeons, legal experts and journalists, called for galvanizing the role of society to achieve the desired goals.

The two-day conference-cum-workshop is being organised under the aegis of the Law and Justice Commission of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in collaboration with the SIUT to discuss the issue, which holds great importance for the well-being and betterment of the society.

Representative from a cross-section of society, including legal and government, medical professionals, media and civil society, attended the opening session. This was the first occasion where all the stakeholders came together to work out a strategy and devise a plan which could save thousands of lives of patients who are losing their battles for life due to organ failures.

In his inaugural address, SIUT Director Prof Adib Rizvi traced the history of transplant procedures in Pakistan. He also pointed out impediments to the promotion of the deceased organ donation programme.

Lauding the Supreme Court for taking suo moto action, he said it was heartening to see that all the stakeholders were on the same page. Professor Rizvi, who performed the first kidney transplant at the SIUT in 1985, said “no lip service” would serve any purpose.

He also reminded the stakeholders, including community, media, doctors, and members of civil society and law enforcing departments, that it was their duty to come forward and support the programme and bring about a positive change in society.

Hameed Haroon, CEO Dawn Group, lauded the efforts of the SIUT to harness the transplantation programme but added that “the battle is still going on” where we have to strengthen the rules passed by the legislature and implement them.

Naziha Ali, an investigative journalist, highlighted her experience in unearthing the illicit organ trade in Pakistan. Citing poverty as a root cause of illegal transplantation, she said that the poor segment was vulnerable to fall prey.

Prominent lawyer Munir Malik, who discussed the legal side of curbing the illegal trade of organs and the steps required for deceased organ transplants, said there was no need to change the law, as the rules could fulfil the needs without difficulty. He stressed the need for commitment on the part of society.

Others who spoke at the session included Maulana Shahtaz, a religious scholar, who said that all schools of religious interpretations in Islam agree that saving a human life is most sacred and if one saves the life of one human being it is as if he has saved the entire humanity. Retired Justice Majida Rizvi also spoke.

The highlight of the daylong proceedings was poetry recited by famous poetess Zahra Nigha, who dedicated her poetry to those who were end-stage organ failure patients and needed a new lease of life.

During the proceedings, various workshops were also held to formulate recommendations on a variety of related subjects, including public education, reaching the people, use of media and legal and government implementation.