In a significant step towards ensuring transparency and fairness in organ allocation and transplantation, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has partnered with Shifa International Hospital to implement an ID verification solution. The e-health digital suite, which is part of NADRA’s ID ecosystem, will authenticate and verify patients and donors in an effort to curb illegal trafficking of organs.
Under the partnership, Shifa International Hospitals will be equipped with a 24/7 biometric verification system (BVS) through which identification and verification of donors and patients of organ transplants will be carried out in a swift and hassle-free manner. The BVS will replace the previous system, which required patients and donors to go through a prolonged and tedious registration process with the Punjab Human Organ Transplant Authority (PHOTA).
NADRA Chairman Tariq Malik stated that the organization has “demonstrated its utmost commitment towards providing a very smart solution to resolve one of the longstanding issues in health sector that is to combat illegal organ trafficking.” He added that NADRA’s digital service will also help hospital authorities make an informed decision with regard to permitting the donation of organ by unrelated individuals.
Dr. Manzoor ul Haq Qazi, CEO of Shifa International Hospital, noted that the partnership will ease the sufferings of recipients and donors, “The miseries of the patients that go through the procedure of organ and tissue transplantation can never be ignored. We have been welcoming such patients since long but the regulatory processes involved in such procedures were lengthy and encouraged illegal trade in the sector. Thanks to the NADRA who have equipped us with its efficient and transparent Biometric Verification System, which will speed up verification and registration for the transplantation of human cells, organs and tissues.”
It is worth mentioning that 22 hospitals from across the country have already expressed interest in implementing the initiative, which will further open up venues of collaboration with medical institutions conducting organ transplantation nationwide.
