LAHORE: Punjab Finance Minister Mian Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman has announced that the Punjab Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) has achieved a historic world record by successfully performing 10 liver transplants within 24 hours, using organs from only three deceased donors. He described this as a remarkable milestone in Pakistan's medical history.
The minister made these remarks while addressing a Deceased Organ Donation Seminar and a ceremony held at PKLI on Wednesday, where the achievement was officially announced. He stated that the accomplishment reflects not only a global medical record but also highlights the professional excellence, expertise, and humanitarian dedication of Pakistan's medical community.
Mian Mujtaba noted that the milestone represents two interconnected goals: medical excellence and increased awareness about deceased organ donation. He congratulated Chairman Board of Governors Professor Saeed Akhtar, Dean Professor Faisal Saud Dar, transplant surgeons, hepatologists, anesthetists, nurses, coordinators, technicians, and the entire PKLI team for their efforts in saving the lives of one young adult and nine children through timely transplants.
The finance minister said PKLI's greatest success lies in restoring hope to ten families who had nearly lost all chances of survival for their loved ones. He also paid tribute to the families of deceased donors for their life-saving decision, describing organ donation after death as one of the noblest humanitarian acts.
He emphasized the need to dispel misconceptions about organ donation and promote awareness so that more lives can be saved through such contributions. Highlighting the Punjab government's health priorities, the finance minister said Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif is focused on ensuring world-class healthcare facilities at the district level.
He added that Rs. 631 billion has been allocated to the health sector this year, including Rs. 181 billion for development projects. Major initiatives are underway, including the establishment of cardiology institutes in Lahore and Sargodha, as well as upgrades in basic health units, dialysis services, transplant facilities, pediatric cardiac surgery, and cancer treatment.
The finance minister further informed that the Punjab government has provided around Rs. 69.237 billion for PKLI's establishment, development, and operations, including Rs. 43 billion in operational support. Under the Chief Minister Punjab Transplant Programme, over 400 patients have already received life-saving transplants worth Rs. 1.428 billion.
Mian Mujtaba said PKLI has now become a centre of excellence, having treated over 741,000 OPD patients and 48,000 inpatients. The institute has successfully conducted 1,175 liver transplants, 1,276 kidney transplants, 19 bone marrow transplants, and more than 580 robotic surgeries.
He concluded by congratulating the PKLI team and donor families, saying the achievement proves that when compassion, expertise, and government support come together, even the impossible becomes possible. He urged greater public awareness of organ donation to save more lives.
