PESHAWAR: The Medical Transplant Regulatory Authority continues to facilitate lawful transplantation in the private sector of the province as two successful renal transplants were carried out for the first time at a leading private hospital of the provincial capital.

The doctors of the hospital conducted two kidney transplants on Jan 9 and 10 becoming the first private sector facility to conduct such procedure in line with the MTRA’s guidelines, which call for subjecting both organ donors and recipients to legal formalities prior to transplantation.

The MTRA was established in Nov 2016 to enforce the KP Medical Transplantation Regulatory Authority Act, 2014, to regulate transplantation of human organs.

MTRA chief promises recognition of more hospitals on meeting legal requirements

The law remained in limbo for two years until former health secretary Abid Majeed notified the formation of the authority to discourage illegal transplantation.

MTRA chairman Prof Asif Malik told Dawn that the authority was striving to discourage illegal transplantation in the province and thus, protecting people from complications.

“We have so far carried out nine renal transplants under the law with almost 100 per cent success rate. We are helping the public and private sector hospitals build infrastructure to facilitate the people to adopt lawful ways for transplantation,” said Prof Asif, who is also the head of the urology department and leading transplant surgeon at the government-run Institute of Kidney Diseases, Peshawar.

He said in the absence of any law, the people used to come to KP for organ transplantation but after notification of the MTRA, all credentials of such hospitals, including human resources, operation theatres, intensive care units and equipment, were being checked to ensure protection of human lives.

“Other private hospitals will be recognised after they meet legal requirements,” he said.

Dr Taqi Fakhruddin Toufeeq Khan, who performed transplants, said he wanted to train the local doctors and facilitate residents to undergo legal and correct procedures.

A medical graduate from Lahore with 20 years transplantation experience, he said they under the guidance of the MTRA had investigated the backgrounds of the donors and recipients prior to carrying out transplants to ensure legal procedure and better health of the people.

In one of the cases, 28-year-old Babrak Khan donated kidney to his younger brother, Lakhkar Khan, 26, while Haris Khan, 24, donated kidney to his elder sister, Afshan Bibi. All are recovering fast, Dr Taqi said.

Deputy administrator of MTRA Dr Fazal Majeed said the authority had accorded recognition to IKD, Rehman Medical Institute and North West General Hospital for renal transplants, while the hospitals registered for corneal transplants included Khyber Teaching Hospital, Lady Reading Hospital, Hayatabad Medical Complex, RMI and Kuwait Teaching Hospital.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2019