PHOTA approves multiple hospitals for organ transplantation

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2026) The Punjab Human Organ Transplantation Authority (PHOTA) has approved several public and private sector hospitals for organ transplantation following inspections and recommendations of its Executive Committee.

The approvals were granted during the 39th meeting of the Monitoring Authority of PHOTA on Thursday, chaired by Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique.

As per the decisions, Jinnah Hospital Lahore and Sardar Eye Trust Hospital Lahore have been approved for corneal transplantation, while Ali Fatima Hospital Lahore, Obaid Noor Hospital Mianwali, Al-Khidmat Razi Hospital Rawalpindi and University of Lahore Teaching Hospital Lahore have been granted approval for renal transplantation for the next three years.

Similarly, new registrations were approved for Bahawal Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur for both renal and corneal transplantation, Bahria International Orchard Hospital Lahore for renal transplantation, and Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital Rawalpindi for corneal transplantation for a period of three years.

Farooq Hospital DHA Lahore has been granted provisional registration for bone marrow transplantation for the next three years.

The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary (Technical) Dr Hafiz Muhammad Waseem, Director General PHOTA Prof Dr Muhammad Amir Zaman Khan and other officials. Several experts and members, including representatives from the Pakistan Medical Association, Pakistan Society of Gastroenterology, Ophthalmological Society of Pakistan, and National Health Research Complex, participated through video link.

Dean PKLI Prof Faisal Saud Dar and other members of the Transplantation Society also attended the meeting virtually.

During the session, Director General PHOTA Prof Dr Muhammad Amir Zaman Khan presented various agenda items, while the implementation report and minutes of the 38th meeting were also reviewed and approved.

The authority also approved guidelines for skin transplantation and the establishment of skin banks in Punjab, besides considering proposals to make PHOTA a paperless organization.

Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said that the capacity of PHOTA was being enhanced in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to provide the best possible healthcare facilities to the public.

He said strict action was being taken against illegal transplantation of human organs in Punjab, adding that thousands of lives were being saved through PHOTA’s efforts.

Director General PHOTA Prof Dr Muhammad Amir Zaman Khan said the authority was being developed on modern lines in accordance with the vision of the provincial government. He added that no leniency would be shown towards those involved in illegal organ transplantation.