Stigma on the profession: Organ theft shocks Lahore’s medics

Doctors call for legislation to facilitate organ transplantation

LAHORE: The recently reported human organ stealing incident from a housing society in Lahore has sent shockwaves through the community, especially doctors.

Medics called a hurried press conference to condemn the atrocious act and appealed to society at large to raise the issue of trafficking.

President and CEO Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) Professor Dr Saeed Akhtar said if it were not for the Punjab government’s quick response in catching the culprits, the matter may have never come to light. Dr Akhtar said that those involved in this heinous crime were a stigma on the medical profession.

He elaborated on the importance of setting up a centralised system that would ensure legalised organ donation and transplantation. He mentioned that such legalised systems exist in Islamic states such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria and UAE, making them among the countries that have high organ donation rates.

“Pakistan, however, does not appear on the list.” He said that although the public is accustomed to the idea of donating blood, organs continue to be a problem. Lack of awareness and uncertainty about Islamic viewpoint on organ donation are the main reasons of low organ donation rate in our country.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2017.