Jail for doctors doing illegal transplants, says proposed law

By Maryam Hussain

April 17, 2006

ISLAMABAD -- The government plans to enact legislation providing for stern punishments for doctors performing illegal organ transplants.

Under the proposed new law, a draft of which has been provided to the cabinet, Pakistani doctors who perform illegal transplants can be imprisoned for three years, fined Rs 300,000 and lose their medical licence for three years.

According to a copy of the 'Draft Bill on Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act 2006', prepared by the Health Ministry, the lack of a regulatory mechanism in the absence of legislation had led to unethical practices under which patients from developed countries visit Pakistan to purchase organs from local medical centres. The bill says "transplant tourists" get these organs from poor Pakistanis for as little as Rs 100,000. It also says that the doctors involved in the trade sometimes do not even bother to check the suitability of the organs.

The bill aims to introduce legislation governing the regulation, removal, storage and transplantation of human organs and tissues. It says only recognised transplant surgeons or physicians can carry out transplants. A monitoring authority and evaluation committee will regulate transplant services. Any living donor, not less than 18 years of age, can voluntarily donate any organ or tissue of his or her body to any person who is genetically or legally related to them. Any person not less than 18 years of age may by a will in writing donate any of his or her organs or tissues for transplantation on his or her death.

Copyright © 2006 Pakistani Daily Times.

This article posted May 20, 2006.