Transplantation of human organs and tissues have become common across the globe but Pakistan still faces many issues in this regard. These problems include,
(a). Lack of resources: Pakistan has a few specialized hospitals with the necessary facilities for deceased organ donation, such as intensive care units and transplant programs.
(b). Lack of knowledge: Most of the countrymen are unaware of the organ donation registry and the legal framework for organ donation.
(c). Religious beliefs: Religious beliefs are a significant barrier to joining the organ donation registry.
(d). Lack of public awareness: In Pakistan there is a lack of public awareness about organ donation.
(e). Organ shortage: There is a shortage of organs donor in the country. For example, only around 200 liver transplants are performed each year in Pakistan, while 8,000 to 10,000 people are waiting for a liver transplant.
(f). Poverty: Many people in Pakistan are underprivileged and face financial issues.
Illegal organ transplants: Some hospitals conduct illegal transplants and seek out people who are desperate enough to sell their organs. A 2008 study found that 70% of donors in Pakistan were bonded laborers.
On the other hand, countries across globe have started transplantation of organs in animals. Recently, the scientists of neighbouring country China have successfully transplanted a pig kidney into a monkey.
Conducted by China’s Huazhong University of Science and Technology, the research aims to make significant progress in organ transplantation from one generation to another.
According to the media reports, the pig kidney transplanted into the monkey had been genetically modified.
The reports stated that both of the monkey’s kidneys were functioning properly, but for research purposes, both of the monkey’s kidneys were removed in May 2024 and a pig kidney was transplanted, after which it survived for about 184 days.
As per media reports, the transplanted kidney continued to function normally for 5 months, but then some complications arose as the immune system started rejecting the new organ.
