LAHORE:Following inspections by Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority (PHOTA) and on recommendations of its Executive Committee, several hospitals have been approved for organ transplantation services:
Corneal transplantation: Jinnah Hospital Lahore and Sardar Eye Trust Hospital Lahore.
Renal transplantation (for next three years): Ali Fatima Hospital Lahore, Obaid Noor Hospital Mianwali, Al-Khidmat Razi Hospital Rawalpindi and University of Lahore Teaching Hospital Lahore.
Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur was approved for both renal and corneal transplantation; Bahria International Orchard Hospital Lahore for renal transplantation; Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital Rawalpindi for corneal transplantation.
Farooq Hospital DHA Lahore received provisional registration for bone marrow transplantation for next three years.These approvals were granted during 39th meeting of Monitoring Authority of PHOTA, chaired by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique.
The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary (Technical) Dr Hafiz Muhammad Waseem, Director General PHOTA Prof Dr Muhammad Amir Zaman Khan and other officials. During the meeting various agenda items were presented for approval by Director General PHOTA. The implementation report of decisions from 38th meeting was reviewed.
Minutes of 38th meeting were formally approved. Guidelines for skin transplantation and establishment of skin banks in Punjab were approved. Proposals to make PHOTA a paperless authority were also considered.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said in line with vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif efforts are underway to enhance PHOTA’s capacity and provide best possible healthcare services to the public. He emphasised strict action is being taken against illegal organ transplantation in Punjab and noted thousands of lives are being saved through PHOTA.
Meanwhile, Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique chaired a meeting of the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Department to review administrative and operational matters, with a focus on expanding the capacity of Children’s Hospital Faisalabad.
