Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education Parliamentary Secretary Hassan Riaz on Monday told the Punjab assembly that the provincial government was pursuing a comprehensive strategy to discourage illegal organ transplantation.
“All divisional commissioners have been directed to initiate stern action on complaints by aggrieved persons regarding kidney transplantation,” he added.
Answering questions by lawmakers during the question-hour, he said that the provincial government was determined to ensure quality healthcare in the province.
He said that advanced medical facilities were being provided at all government hospitals, adding that appropriate funds had been allocated for the sale and repair of hospital equipment.
To a query by Jamaat-e-Islami parliamentary leader Dr Wasim Akhtar, he said that action had been taken against hospitals and surgeons involved in the illegal business of kidney transplantation.
He said that committees had already been formed at the divisional level to curb the trade.
A bill proposing enhancement of punishments for persons dealing with illegal organ transplantation will soon be tabled in the Punjab assembly, he said.
The parliamentary secretary, to a question by Mohammad Arshad Malik, said that the process for establishing a medical college was launched in 2014, and funds were released for the project.
He clarified that no funds for the project lapsed and a news item appearing in a section of the press was groundless and against reality.
Hassan Riaz told PPP’s Faiza Malik that 18 out of 19 ventilators were operational at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, while the repair of one ventilator was under way.
To a question by PML-N legislator Hina Pervaiz Butt, the parliamentary secretary said that four labs including out-door, in-door, SIMS Diagnostic Centre, and emergency were working at Services Institute of Medical Sciences & Hospital, Lahore.
Replying to yet another question, Hassan Riaz said that a transparent policy was being pursued for the provision of life-saving drugs in all government hospitals.
