Gift of life

The news story from Lahore in this newspaper, of attempts by the family of a kidney recipient from Oman to escape action under laws that prohibit the trade in kidneys, demonstrates that nearly three years after it came into force, the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act continues to be violated. There has been a distinct improvement in the situation but illegal kidney transplants continue, notably in Punjab, involving the purchase of organs from impoverished vendors. Last year, the Supreme Court sought guarantees from two private hospitals — in Lahore and Rawalpindi — that they were not involved in this illegal trade which had turned Pakistan into the world’s centre for kidney purchases.

The case that has come to light underscores several issues. First, illegal purchases pose huge risks to both the giver and the recipient. Also, there are government officials ready to help the influential and surgeons willing to violate laws for the sake of money. Shockingly, in this case, the doctors who carried out the transplant were employed at a major government hospital. Ethics, it seems, is not a strong point for those who practice medicine.

While there is a shortage of kidneys, there will always be violations of ethical and legal provisions. The only way to stop this is to focus on promoting the donation of organs after death. While this remains rare in our country, an awareness campaign, coupled with a scheme that enables people to put their wish to donate organs on record, could help overcome the current demand. People need to be persuaded that giving their organs after death would grant life, or sight, to another human being. Until more such donations take place, grim stories of death and misery will continue to surface and middle-men seeking organs will continue to roam neighbourhoods where the poor live and tempt them with the promise of a few hundred thousand rupees.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2010.