Daily Times

LAHORE: In order to make the Punjab Human Organ Transplant Authority (PHOTA) a vibrant institute and curb illegal organ transplantation, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has approved some legislative amendments and administrative revamping to its organisational structureto carry out its functions smoothly.

It is pertinent of mention here that Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) Director Prof Adbul Hasan Rizvi had pointed out illegal organ transplantation in Punjab, as patients from certain developed countries visit Pakistan allegedly to buy organs for transplantation from
local hospitals.

Prof Rizvi expressed his concern over the illegal sale and purchase of human organs in Punjab and feared that Pakistan might become a market of organ trade if stern action was not taken against
the culprits.

The PHOTA was constituted to regulate organ transplantation in Punjab but unfortunately government had not allocated budget, staff and proper office for its smooth functioning.

Currently, the PHOTA is housed in the King Edward Medical University to carry out its day-to-day function and it is being run by KEMU vice chancellor with an additional charge as its administrator.

However, the Punjab government is now amending the Punjab Human Organ Transplant Act 2012, enhancing punishments to curb the menace of illegal selling and transplantation of organs.

In this connection, a summary has been sent by the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education (SHC&ME) Department to the Punjab chief minister seeking approval of organisational changes to the PHOTA Act, 2012.

The government has also approved a sum of Rs 96.374 million for hiring of new staff and operational cost of authority.

The government also accorded some necessary amendments to the PHOTA Act 2012, suggesting whoever renders his services to or at any medical institution or hospital and who for the purpose of transplantation, conducts, associates with or helps in any manner, in the removal of any human organ without authority, shall be imprisoned for a term which may extend to ten years and a fine which may enhanced form Rs one million to Rs 10 million.

It was also proposed that whosoever would contravene any provision of the act shall be imprisoned for a term which may extend to three years or a fine which might be enhanced from Rs 300,000 to Rs 10 million or both.

It was also decided that a reward of Rs one million would be granted to the person, who would inform the PHOTA about illegal human transplant activity and his name would be kept confidential. For this purpose, a hotline would also be installed.

Sources said that a law with necessary amendments would be presented in the Punjab Assembly for final approval.