In PIMS liver transplant centre, there is no liver transplant surgeon and lead surgeon happens to be general surgeon.
ISLAMABAD: My first cousin had an unsuccessful liver transplant operation in May 2012, at PIMS, in which he lost his life. Being his close relative, I need to find out the reason behind his death. I do believe that life and death is in the hand of God but at times, human actions do come into play, especially where medical procedures are concerned. This is what exactly happened with my cousin when he was admitted to the liver transplant centre at PIMS, Islamabad. I was shocked to know that the liver transplant centre was running without any liver transplant surgeon.
Pakistan’s parliament has already passed legislation to provide for the removal, storage and transplantation of human organs and tissues. The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act 2009, defines “recognised transplant surgeon or physician” as surgeons or physicians possessing appropriate qualifications, experience and training in a relevant field, to investigate examine and carry out the transplantation surgery of human organs and tissues. The Act also recommends establishing an authority to monitor transplantation of human organs and tissues in Pakistan and as a result of this the Human Organs and Tissues Transplantation Authority (HOTA) was set up. The focus of this institution was to frame rules, certify hospitals for eligibility of transplantation services and for the professional expertise required. These functions are carried out through performance-monitoring inspections.
So the question is that how was PIMS registered by the HOTA without having proper transplantation facilities. Interestingly, one of the conditions of the HOTA registration says: “Consultants in the surgical field should possess FCPS/FRCS/MS or equivalent qualification with a status not below that of associate professor … Consultants should have at least five years of experience in transplant surgery.”
In the PIMS liver transplant centre, there is no liver transplant surgeon and the lead surgeon happens to be a general surgeon. Can the health ministry please explain this?
Qurban Ali Baloch
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2012.
