Withholding of funds affects patients awaiting kidney transplant

PESHAWAR:

The patients awaiting kidney transplant in KhyberPakthunkhwa (K-P) have suffered tremendously after suspension of funds by the K-P Finance Department to the Institute of Kidney Diseases (IKDs) Hayatabad.

As a result of suspension of funds to IKDs, the free treatment process of about 150 kidney transplants at IKDs has been suspended. Riaz Hussain, Deputy Director IKD told APP that around 150 kidney transplant patients were affected due to stoppage of funds to the hospital. He said kidney transplant operations were affected and letters were sent to the finance department for provision of funds on emergency basis to save the lives of poor patients.

The official said funds had been suspended by the finance department for the last five months, resulting in an increase in the number of poor patients belonging to different districts of K-P. He said Rs1 lakh per month was required for the treatment of each kidney transplant patient. Institute of Kidney Diseases (IKD) was established in 2007 and is first of its kind specialised tertiary care hospital in the province.

The patients have requested CM K-P to take notice of the issue and direct the finance department to immediately relea the funds.