Health Services Director Dr Shahid Khaleeq has said that an effective mechanism has been devised against illegal transplantation of human organs in Bahawalpur division.
He said this in a high-level meeting to review the progress of various measures taken by the health department regarding the performance of Punjab Human Organs Transplant Authority in Bahawalpur division.
Bahawalpur Division Commissioner Saqib Zafar chaired the meeting which was held in the commissioner’s office.
The meeting was attended by Quaid-e-Azam Medical College Principal Professor Dr Ajlal Haider Rizvi, Health Services Director Dr Shahid Khaleeq, Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH) Medical Superintendent Dr Rao Javed Akhter, Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Aziz and other officials of the concerned departments.
Director health services further briefed the meeting that district health authorities have been established both at the district and tehsil level which has been tasked to maintain a close vigil to check the illegal transplantation of human organs.
He further informed that as a result of effective and vigorous monitoring of these teams, no case of illegal human organs transplantation has been reported in the three districts of Bahawalpur division.
Zafar urged upon the health officials to play their role more vigorously to fully implement the directions contained in the Punjab Human Organs Transplant Authority to protect the human lives.
“Zero-tolerance policy regarding illegal transplantation of human organs should be maintained by sharpening the vigil of all health facilities operating in three districts of the Bahawalpur division,” the commissioner noted.
The commissioner directed the health authorities to play their role vigorously by coordinating with other departments to ensure an effective implementation of the government of Punjab policy regarding human organs transplantation.
Later, while presiding over a meeting of safe blood transfusion in Bahawalpur division, the commissioner directed the health authorities that in order to protect human lives all illegal blood banks in Bahawalpur division should be closed immediately.
He further maintained that government has authorised only those blood transfusion banks which have been awarded a license to run their facilities under the Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority.
The commissioner called upon the officials of the health department to ensure safe blood transfusion to protect the human lives.
Earlier, while giving a briefing, Blood Transfusion Centre Regional Manager Dr Shamshad Kazmi and Drug Controller Abid Zain in their briefing maintained that safe blood transfusion centres have been operating at BVH, Civil Hospital and THQs Ahmadpur East, Hasilpur and Yazman.
