PKLI marks kidney transplant milestone

The Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute and Research Centre (PKLI&RC) Rawalpindi successfully performed its first kidney transplant, a top official said on Friday. PKLI&RC Board of Governors Chairman Prof Dr Saeed Akhtar said the first transplant at any medical institution was a crucial step, backed by extensive preparation and hard work by the entire medical team. He said 50% of patients at PKLI are receiving completely free treatment, while other patients are being treated at highly subsidised rates. Prof Dr Akhtar told a presser that the first transplant had been performed in Lahore eight years ago, and PKLI Rawalpindi had now successfully carried out its first kidney transplant. He said two liver transplants and one kidney transplant had so far been successfully performed in Rawalpindi. Prof Dr Akhtar further said kidney transplantation gave critically ill patients a new lease of life. In Pakistan, kidneys for transplantation are currently donated by living donors, while several countries around the world also transplant kidneys donated by deceased individuals. He said PKLI was also preparing to introduce such a system. He said the foundation of the project was laid by Shehbaz Sharif in 2016, while the current Punjab government was taking it forward. A Chief Minister Punjab Transplant Fund was also available to support the treatment of deserving patients, while resources would also be raised through Zakat and charitable donations. Prof Dr Akhtar said an app was also being developed to facilitate patients, enabling them to register from home and making access to treatment more convenient.