LAHORE - Islam permits organ transplantation to save human life. However, it is the responsibility of the government to take steps to combat transplantation tourism and the problem of tissues and organs trafficking.
Speaking at a seminar on “Islamic Perspective of Organ Transplantation” at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) on Tuesday, Head of Philosophy Department, Govt College for Women, Jehlum Dr Fouzia Kazim said that a national transplant registry should be established in order to monitor and regulate the organ transplantation programme in the country.
She said that one of the main reasons impeding Muslims from becoming organ donors was the confusion and uncertainty some might have about Islamic Law and religious viewpoint on organ donation. She explained that in line with the Qur’anic teachings, majority of the Muslim scholars had invoked the principle of priority of saving human life and had permitted the organ transplant as a necessity to achieve the noble cause.
“Nonetheless it is prohibited to violate, harm or mutilate the dead body whether it is a Muslim or a non-Muslim. There are exceptions to this general rule especially in a case when there is a necessity”, she added.
UHS Human Genetics department organised the seminar also attended by Vice Chancellor Maj Gen (r) Prof Aslam.
85 nurses selected for course: Punjab Health Department Punjab has selected 85 nurses from different tertiary care and District Headquarters Hospitals to attend one year Post-Basic Specialized Nursing Programme at Post Graduate College of Nursing Lahore.
A spokesman of Health Department said that these nurses would specialize in different subjects. As many as 17 nurses would specialize in Cardiac Care, 11 in Paediatrics, 18 each in Emergency and Psychiatric, 08 in Neurosciences and 13 in Ophthalmology.
All the nurses will draw their salaries and other allowances from their parent institutions. The selected nurses have been directed to report to the Principal Post Graduate College of Nursing, Lahore within 15 days of the issuance of the notification. The spokesman said that after completing the training, these nurses would be posted in their own departments which would improve the working of hospitals.