Deceased woman's organ donation saves lives

Rafat Zartaj, after undergoing a liver transplant at PKLI, had expressed her desire to be an organ donor back in 2012

RAWALPINDI:

In an unprecedented event in Pakistan, the selfless act of a deceased woman has given a new lease on life to three individuals through the donation of her organs.

Doctors at Rawalpindi's Bahria Town Safari Hospital successfully performed transplants on two patients, achieving a significant milestone in the field of organ donations.

The catalyst behind this remarkable act, Rafat Zartaj, had previously undergone a liver transplant at the Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) in Lahore.

Her decision to donate her organs opened the door for a life-saving transplant for a patient named Omar Khayyam. Additionally, Asad Jameel, 31, and Major Rukhsana, 50, also reaped the benefits of this altruistic gesture, receiving a renewed chance at life.

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Dr Fahad Abbas, the brother of the deceased, shared that Rafat had expressed her desire to be an organ donor in 2012. Dr Noorul Huda, the daughter, expressed gratitude, acknowledging that her mother's wish had been fulfilled by the dedicated medical team at Bahria Town Safari Hospital.

Air Commodore (retd) Mohammad Ilyas, Vice Chairman of Bahria Town Safari Hospital, praised the woman's act of generosity, describing it as a profound commitment. He expressed joy at witnessing this historic transplant event unfold at Bahria Town Safari Hospital and revealed that the recipients of the donated organs are now in good health.

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Asad Jameel, one of the recipients, shared the decade-long struggle he faced with kidney disease, emphasising the importance of individuals incorporating organ donation into their wills.

Rukhsana, the other recipient, echoed this sentiment, underscoring the significance of encouraging and supporting organ donation procedures to combat the illicit organ trade.