ISLAMABAD, Dec 8: In a major move towards implementation of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Ordinance, 2007, the Human Organs Transplant Authority (HOTA) on Monday constituted provincial monitoring committees to inspect medical institutions having organ transplant facilities for granting them permission to carry out transplant operations.

Some 30 institutions had been granted interim permission to carry out transplant activities after the enactment of the ordinance.

The exercise for granting interim permission became controversial when some institutions, which had allegedly been involved in human organs’ trade before the promulgation of the law prohibiting the sale of organs and regulating other transplant affairs, were also permitted to perform transplant activities.

Inclusion of a doctor in HOTA allegedly involved in commercial transactions of organs also raised concerns about the government’s seriousness to implement the law enacted under pressure from the civil society.

HOTA is mandated to recognise hospitals for transplantation of human organs and tissues as part of its overall regulatory role.

Federal health secretary Khushnood Lashari told Dawn that the inspection of institutions having interim permission would commence from Dec 10 and would conclude by Jan 12. All reports will be submitted to HOTA.

The inspection activity will be centred in Karachi, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore and Bhawalpur, where exist most of institutions having transplant facilities.

The decision to inspect the institutions was taken at the third meeting of HOTA.

Health Minister Ejaz Rahim, who presided over the meeting, said the government’s endeavour would be to regulate the transplantation of human organs and tissues in an ethical and transparent manner. Efforts would be made to facilitate patients requiring transplantation without compromising the dignity of human life, he added.

He directed for maintaining a database of facilities and services available at recognised health facilities.

A sub-committee was also constituted to prepare minimum basic standards and checklists for according formal recognition to transplant centres.