Illegal organ trade

Among Pakistan’s many black markets, one that has been flourishing is its illegal organ trade, primarily in Punjab. Although authorities are aware of the market, little in the way of a crackdown has been mounted. Now, however, with power transferred to the federal authorities in place of provincial authorities, change might be coming. The FIA will lead the mission to purge the illegal organs trade market. While the perpetrators involved should be taken to task, it must be ensured that all abettors are punished, from the medical professionals to the government agencies that condone the illegal surgeries. Simultaneously, it would be advantageous to spread awareness regarding religious rulings on organ donation.

The scope of the illegal organ trade is realised from the fact that members of other countries have relied on Pakistan’s industry. It is a two-way street: people who can afford them purchase organs while those from poor socioeconomic backgrounds are eager to sell them for fast money — putting their lives on the line for as little as Rs200,000. The entire notion of ethics becomes irrelevant. However, this is where better sense on the part of the government and doctors should prevail. In particular, the Human Organs Transplant Authority, with full knowledge of the illegal business, should have more scrutinising measures in place to distinguish authentic cases of organ donation from the false consent donors give. Likewise, medical schools are either wasting resources on imparting medical ethics education or have been unable to impact the characters of students. One is truly shocked by the conditions under which organs are extracted illegally.

The assumption that organ donation is prohibited in Islam has lent support to the illegal trade, which should prompt clerics into educating people. A computerised organ donation registry indicated on identification cards can prove useful for timely organ harvest in accidental deaths. These steps would automatically boost resources and help save lives.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2017.

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