Relax organ transplant laws: experts to govt

The government should relax the country’s existing organ transplant laws and encourage people to donate organs posthumously to save thousands, particularly those whose kidneys have been damaged, said experts at a conference yesterday.

They said though kidney transplant is a better and cheaper option than dialysis, strict laws and shortage of organ donation -- an impact of the law -- are the main obstacles in this regard.

Gonoshasthaya Kendra, in association with Bangladesh Renal Association, is organising the conference titled “Gonoshasthaya Kendra International Nephrology Conference 2019” at its Nagar Hospital in the capital’s Dhanmondi.

Around 200 nephrologists, biomedical engineers and nurses from home and abroad are participating in the two-day event -- the first of its kind in Bangladesh -- with the slogan “Quality Renal Care at Affordable Cost”.

Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural session, Prof Matiur Rahman, founder of Bangladesh Renal Association, said the Transplantation of Human Organs (amendment) Act 2018 has some strict provisions, which make organ transplant more complex in the country.

According to the act, only “close relatives” can donate organs.

“I think those provisions need to be amended. If it can be done, we will be able to save many lives…,” said the noted nephrologist. He also urged the government to prepare a list of patients who are undergoing dialysis and provide them the opportunity to have kidney transplant in priority basis.

Prof Quazi Deen Mohammad, president of Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons, said kidney dialysis used to be complex and expensive, but the situation has changed due to modern technologies.

“However, it is still expensive. On the other hand, the option of kidney transplant is much better, we cannot provide this treatment due to shortage of donation, which need to be solved as soon as possible,” he added.

He called upon all to be encouraged in posthumous organ donations.

Prof Brig Gen (retd) Mamun Mostafi, chairman of the conference organising committee; Prof Vivekanand Jha, president of International Society of Nephrology; and Syed Modasser Ali, former health adviser to the prime minister, also spoke at the inaugural session.

Four distinguished doctors were also awarded with “Gonoshasthaya Kendra Gold Medal” for their outstanding contributions to medical services.

They are: Syed Anwarul Hafiz, professor emeritus of Gonoshasthaya Samaj Vittik Medical College; Prof Mohammad Nurul Amin, an ear, nose and throat specialist; Prof Rabiul Husain, an eye specialist, and Prof Rafiqul Alam, a nephrologist.