Punjab to check illegal organs' transplantation through regulatory system

With a view to check illegal human organs transplantation and to award exemplary punishment to the elements involved in such inhuman activities, Punjab government is contemplating to put in place a strong regulatory system. In this regard, monitoring and evaluation committees headed by the DCO of the concerned district would be formed for monitoring of those hospitals that are providing the facility of human organs transplantation.
A professor of Medical College and the EDO (Health) concerned would also be the member of the committees. Monitoring and evaluation committees would conduct surprise visits of the hospitals and send their reports to the Punjab Human Organs Transplant Authority (PHOTA).
Punjab government would fully empower and strengthen the PHOTA and for this purpose necessary legislation would also be carried out. Secretary Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department, Najam Ahmad Shah also held a meeting on Tuesday which was also attended by Vice Chancellor King Edward Medical University Professor Faisal Masood, Special Secretary Health Dr Sajid Mahmood Chohan, Member Health Planning and Development Department, Dr Shabana Haider, Additional Secretary Development (Health) Zaheer Abbas Malik, Health Specialist of P&D and the officers of Finance Department.
During the inspection of the hospital to be kept under vigilance by the monitoring and evaluation committees, it would be verified that qualified surgeons and human resources are available in the hospital. Moreover the transplantation of the same patient has been carried out which the PHOTA has given permission for. It will be mandatory for the hospital to provide photographs of the donors and the recipients and video recording of the operation to PHOTA for verification. Furthermore, before discharging the patient and the donor, post operative medical check-up must be performed.
The meeting decided that a reward of Rs one million would be granted to the person who informs the PHOTA regarding illegal human transplant activity and his name would also be kept confidential. For this purpose a hotline would also be installed. It is proposed that Rs 50 million fine will be imposed on the hospital which is to be found involved in any illegal transplantation activities.