Organ traders in Pakistan are using the Internet as a means for advertising their business, said Prof Dr Adibul Hasan Rizvi who is the founder of the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) as well as the president of the Transplantation Society of Pakistan.
Addressing a press briefing, Rizvi said that despite the human organ and tissue transplantation law, the illegal trade of organs continues to be carried out in the country where rich buyers arrive from India, Europe and the Middle East.
He said, “We have pointed out this heinous crime on multiple occasions, but the government and the relevant authorities have not paid any attention.
“Previously, we had pointed out the tragic death of an Omani national after an illegal transplantation procedure was carried out in Lahore, but no one takes any notice of these incidents.”
He pointed out that even before the formulation of the human organ and tissue transplantation law, illegal transplant centres in the country had clients across to the world by advertising on the Internet.
“Organ trade has become an industry as foreigners pay between $20,000 and $30,000 for a transplant package. This rampant and unchecked trade exploits the poor population. Pakistan has become a cheap organ bazaar for the world.
“After passing the law, incidence of this illicit trade has decreased, but it has not stopped altogether and has shifted from known hospitals to unknown bungalows. On July 1, one such bungalow was raided.
“It is now up to the government and the authorities concerned to take legal action against the people involved in this inhumane crime.”
