LARKANA: “When cots were turned upside down in the house (traditionally the highest degree of grief and helplessness) and all family members sat crossed-armed in utter helplessness, I could not hold back and decided to donate my kidney to my younger brother who was fighting for his life,” said Ms Ameerzadi.

She shared her story at the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), surrounded by two nurses and team leader, Dr Muhammed Khan Babar.

“My husband died two years ago, and I live with my two kids. Even if I die after donating my kidney, it would be okay as it is a small sacrifice,” she said, wiping away tears.

“My brother would be granted a new lease on life and I can provide a sense of security and satisfaction to my family. We are from Radhan town (Dadu district) and are too poor to meet his expenses,” she elaborated.

Dr Muhammed Khan Babar served at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) under the guidance of Dr Adibul Hasan Rizvi. Now at GIMS, he spoke about how so far six cases of kidney transplant have been successfully done at the institute. Fourteen more are in line, he added. All expenses will be paid by the Sindh government instead of the patient.

GIMS director Dr Rahim Bakhsh Bhatti also spoke about the project. “It is unbelievable to see the degree of discipline and specialised medical facilities at such a remote area, which unfortunately the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University in Larkana does not offer.”

Dr Babar agreed with this observation and suggested the expanding of facilities to other medical colleges so that trained doctors and paramedics could serve a broader segment of society.

From 1934 to 1980, GIMS was a dispensary that provided OPD facilities. In 1980 it became a taluka hospital. The World Bank assessed it and in 1997 declared it as a model taluka hospital. In September 2003, the governor Sindh gave it the status of GIMS and in 2005 approval was given to strengthen GIMS by establishing a medical college.

Dr Bhatti has been working on establishing this medical college. Originally to be completed in 2010, it suffered from delays. “We plan on completing it this year, but the delays are proof of red tape,” he added.

The Sindh government in its 2015-16 budget earmarked Rs3.5 billion for SIUT and Rs300 million for liver transplantation, he said while talking to Dawn. “We have to face many hindrances in getting different projects approved,” he said. “But consistency and faith always work together.”

He praised the support of provincial health minister Jam Mehtab Dahar in helping the project.

Mr Bhatti travels regularly to expand on specialised health facilities available at Gambat, a taluka with a population of almost 40,000.

GIMS has also signed a memorandum of understanding with a German team for liver transplantation. An estimated 11 million Pakistanis suffer from liver disease and the country is referred to as a “cirrhotic state” in international health circles. Almost 2.5 million patients need urgent liver transplant surgeries, and unfortunately, many of them cannot afford it.

The German team, headed by Professor Baker, consists of three surgeons, one anesthesiologist and two staff nurses, and will lead the project for which the Sindh government has earmarked Rs300 million in the 2015-16 budget.

The project costs Rs900 million which the Sindh government will provide in three phases, said Dr Bhatti.

Prof Baker has promised to do the first case of liver transplant himself and the institute will bear all expenses. As this is an expensive proposition for GIMS, Dr Bhatti has suggested expanding the programme to other medical institutions and involving donors and philanthropists to ensure the continuity of services.

A meeting with German experts was proposed to be held in Germany in July to finalise the project and start liver transplants at GIMS by the end of August. So far over 40 patients have registered for this procedure.

Apart from conducting transplants, the team will also train locals for future handling, said Dr Bhatti.

“It was my dream to see kidney and liver transplants here in the remote areas of Sindh for the poor population, as well as training and capacity building being offered to medical personnel,” he said.

The Gambat Medical College is almost complete and admissions for MBBS will open from August. Students from 23 districts of Sindh are encouraged to apply.

The registration of the college with Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) is almost complete. The entry test for the first intake would be held in October. The medical college will also have an independent principal registrar and controller.

A 300-bed hospital is in its final stages, and a hostel with 100 rooms to accommodate students is near completion and will be ready by December 2015.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play