The Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority (PHOTA) on Friday approved renal transplantation licences for Multan Institute of Kidney Diseases and Saleem Memorial Hospital Lahore, while Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center (PKLI&RC), Lahore, was granted permission to perform pancreas transplantation for the next three years.
PHOTA approves transplant licences for three hospitals, plans paperless system
LAHORE, Jul 17 (APP): The Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority (PHOTA) on Friday approved renal transplantation licences for Multan Institute of Kidney Diseases and Saleem Memorial Hospital Lahore, while Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Center (PKLI&RC), Lahore, was granted permission to perform pancreas transplantation for the next three years.
The approvals were granted during the 40th meeting of the PHOTA Monitoring Authority chaired by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique. The meeting endorsed the recommendations of the Executive Committee after inspections of the respective hospitals.
Director General PHOTA Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aamir Zaman Khan presented various agenda items for approval. The meeting approved the minutes of the 39th Monitoring Authority meeting and reviewed the implementation report of its decisions. Members also approved the revised budget estimates for the financial year 2025-26 and the budget estimates for 2026-27.
The meeting also considered several proposals to transform PHOTA into a paperless organization and approved the purchase of premises for the authority’s head office.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said the Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority was being strengthened in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to expand its capacity and provide the best possible healthcare facilities to the people. He said strict action was being taken against those involved in the illegal transplantation of human organs, adding that PHOTA had played a significant role in saving thousands of lives.
The Director General PHOTA said the authority was being developed on modern lines in accordance with the Punjab government’s vision. He emphasized that individuals involved in illegal human organ transplantation in Punjab deserved no leniency.
The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary (Technical) Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Waseem and other officials. President Pakistan Medical Association Dr. Izhar Ahmed Chaudhry, Editor-in-Chief Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology Prof. Ghiyas-un-Nabi Tayyab, President Ophthalmological Society of Pakistan Lahore Chapter Prof. Javed Chaudhry, Senior Research Officer National Health Research Complex Saima Naz Mohsin, Additional Secretary Home Department Abdul Rauf and other members also participated. Dean PKLI&RC Prof. Faisal Saud Dar, Dr. Arif Nadeem and Dr. Muhammad Yasir Khan from the Transplantation Society attended the meeting through video link.
