'Save the nation from humiliation and disgrace'

Once Pakistan had become a laughing stock of the transplant world when it earned the infamous title of 'the cheapest organ bazaar of the world'. Poor vendors from Sargodha and other areas in Punjab were being exploited to sell their kidneys for merely Rs 1-1.5 lac whereas the wealthy foreign recipients were paid up to Rs 25 lacs for the transplant package and the beneficiaries mostly being middleman and private transplant centres.
It is estimated that the commercial transplant business had a turnover of Rs 1.5 billion a year. This was the worst form of human exploitation where the vulnerable population, 85 percent of whom were bonded labour, remained poor and destitute after selling their kidney, which is a national disgrace.
All national and international press, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Transplantation Society highlighted and drew attention of the higher judiciary, which acted to stop this inhuman practice. The transplant ordinance put an end to these practices and it is now illegal to have any commercial dealing in transplantation from living donors.
Moreover, foreigners are banned from receiving transplants from Pakistanis. After the promulgation of the ordinance, the transplantation traffic has reduced to a trickle. However, the transplantation from living donors has increased at a good pace in the country. Records at the largest transplant centre (SIUT) showed the increase is from 150 transplant per year to over 400 a year. The law also facilitates donation after brain death and with the permission of next of kin, organ could be donated to save 12 human lives.
This will be of great benefit to end-stage patients of liver, heart, lung, pancreas, who have no other option for survival. Unfortunately, there is a move to subvert the Transplant Ordinance 2007 by proposing amendments to deface the ethical legislation. This will bring the country back to pre-ordinance disgrace and humiliation.
The organ bazaar will flourish once more. Exploitation of the poor will become more rampant now in wake of poverty increase and spiralling food prices. Do we want Pakistan to be known for the worst form of human exploitation? Surely you would like Pakistan to reap the fruits of technology from ethical transplantation and deceased donor transplantation for all vital organs. Save Pakistan from disgrace and support ordinance based on ethical principles without amendments.-PR