SINDH INSTITUTE OF UROLOGY AND TRANSPLANTATION (SIUT),

KARACHI
SYNOPSIS BY
MUHAMMAD ASIM HALIM (IRS)

Prof. Adibul Hassan Rizvi along with other senior doctors welcomed the participants. The
briefing was given in a spacious auditorium. Dr. Rizvi started his briefing explaining the need for
a kidney transplant and dialysis center. Mentioning socio economic condition of the country he
said that Pakistan is in the grip of economic crisis leading to disparity. The government spends
0.8% of GDP on health and majority of the population lives below poverty line. Hence tertiary
health care is neither being provided by the government nor affordable by the public. The basic
philosophy of Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) is to make the impossible
possible. It is Community-Government-Doctors relationship providing specialized medical care
to the population at large suffering from kidney, liver, related cancers and transplant procedures
Free of Cost.
SIUT predominantly serves those representing the marginalized segments of society belonging to
various parts of Pakistan who cannot afford costly specialized medical care available elsewhere.
State of the art medical facilities are being provided without any discrimination of caste,
ethnicity or economic group. Each patient is treated with utmost dignity and respect.

AHIEVEMENTS
Pakistans First Cadaver Organ Transplant
Doctors and paramedics of SIUT carried out first Pakistans first cadaver kidney transplant in
1995. The organ (gifted by Euro Transplant Foundation) was retrieved from a 14 year old Dutch
girl who died of cerebral hemorrhage. Her kidney was successfully transplanted into a 24-yearold Pakistani female patient suffering from end stage of renal failure.

First Locally Harvested Cadaver Transplant

SIUT carried out first cadaver transplant in October 1998 when a 24 year old Pakistani met a
serious road accident. The family approached the SIUT with their decision to honor the
deceaseds wish to give the gift of life of his organs (kidneys and eyes). The kidney recipients
were two young men while his corneas were restored the vision of two others. Through SIUTs
landmark achievement Pakistan became ninth Islamic country to carry out cadaver organ
transplant.

First Successful Liver Transplant

SIUT also carried out first successful liver transplant in the country in November 2003.The surgical
procedure was carried out after developing an extensive Liver Transplantation program. A sixmonth-old baby was transplanted a liver in collaboration with King's College Hospital, London.

TRANSPLANTATION:
Patients suffering from kidney failure can be best treated by transplantation when a healthy kidney is
transferred from one person to another by replacing the damaged or failing kidney. The whole
exercise is performed by carrying out series of medical investigations. With regular checkups,
medication and constant surveillance a transplanted person can lead a healthy and a normal life.
SIUT developed the program in 1980's. SIUT has developed an integrated transplant and dialysis
networking system where all services are provided free and ensures a proper follow up of both donor
and recipient with post transplantation medication free of cost.
According to statistics it is estimated that some 25,000 persons go to renal failure stage every year in
the country. Out of which only 10 percent succeed in receiving dialysis and only 2.3 percent have
good fortune to receive transplantation 1.

SIUT Satellite Dialysis Facilities

Drig Road Karachi, 1999

Muzaffarabad, Kashmir, 2006
Nazimabad Karachi, 2010
Chablani Centre, Sukkur, 2010
Garden West Karachi, 2012

1 http://www.siut.org/
2

Mehrunnisa Korangi, 2013

Ongoing Projects

PET, CT and Cyclotron Facility at SIUT

Children Hospital for urology, nephrology, and transplantation and cardiac center
SIUT Transplant center, Kidney liver and bone marrow
SIUT Hospital, Sukkur
Institute of Transplant Sciences and Biotechnology is the ultimate aim of SIUT.

Impact of the SIUT Model

SIUT has created awareness in the society towards healthcare. The philosophy of healthcare free
with dignity has been widely accepted. Transplantation has been adopted as mode of therapy.
Organ donor campaign and awareness programs to prevent the disease have been successfully
carried out.
Sustainability
So far in 40 years 10 million patients have been treated and 4600 kidney transplants have been
successfully carried out due to indigenous support. In future too SIUT will rely on local support. This
mega project is possible if we own the concept that every human being has the right to access best of
health. SIUT has been successful mainly due to the fact that nothing is borrowed i.e. the concept is
Pakistani, supported by Pakistanis and is also run by Pakistanis. It is our social, religious and national
obligation.

Q&A Session
It was asked that kidney transplant in other hospitals are business and organs are also sold, what is
your policy? The doctor replied that Pakistan has remained a largest market for organ transplant as
per BBC report. Now Shariat court verdict is being implemented in letter and spirit. I must admit that
some doctors were also involved in this crime.
When asked about the selection criteria of the donor, the doctor replied that every human being is
eligible, one should have blood relation in family. If no relative is available than private donor are
arranged. It was asked that why the center is not publicized, only once writer Ayaz Amir wrote about

it. It was replied that the center is opening in Lahore, which after start of operation will get publicity.
It has been 60 years of its operation and in Karachi everyone knows about it.
It was asked whether doctors and other paramedical staff is getting market based salary here. It was
replied that we pay market based salaries so that we get satisfied and dedicated human resource. We
have independent Human Resource department. All our doctors are foreign qualified. Recruitment is
also done merit based through advertisement and short listed through a committee.
A participant enquired about the role of public sector in this organization. The speaker replied that
the government has a lot of part to play. To ask the government about funds one has to show the
performance. Moreover public also contributes a lot e.g. machines and buildings are also donated
sometimes. We calculate our requirements and then get donations. Our accounts are audited by M/s
Fergusons, chartered accountants.
The participants visited various departments and wards of the institute. The cleanliness, care and
other facilities are commendable not below any world ranking hospital. The doctors are very
courteous and helpful. The patients and their attendants were also satisfied with the treatment of the
hospital. The only future challenge to the institute is to maintain the high standards of service
delivery and patient satisfaction in all the new hospitals and centers being opened by the management
in various parts of the country.
***