Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Sunday expressing concern over the illegal trade of human organs in Pakistan said that the government would ensure passage of the bill, which was recently approved by the federal cabinet, to end the illegal trade and transplantation of organs in the country.
Talking to Director Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplant (SUIT) Professor Dr Adibul Hassan Rizvi at the Governor's House here, he said that government would ensure that the bill, when passed, was strictly enforced in all parts of the country. This would greatly reduce the exploitation of the poor while providing avenues for legitimate donor assistance to the needy persons, he noted.
The Prime Minister said that steps were also being taken to improve the financial conditions of the poor and the government was focusing on poverty alleviation and creating income generation opportunities for this segment of the society.
Professor Rizvi told the premier that the SUIT was conducting more than 500 dialysis cases every day, while more than 350 kidney transplants each year. In addition to this, he said, the Institute also provides treatment in related ailments free of cost to the people.
Professor Rizvi also told the Prime Minister that he planed to set up an Institute of Transplant Sciences and Biotechnology in future. He apprised him of the ground realities regarding the sale and transplantation of the human organs, particularly kidneys in Pakistan.
He lauded the government's efforts to curb the illegal trade of human organs. The Prime Minister appreciated the dedication and missionary zeal of Dr Rizvi towards the noble cause.