The country’s existing law and denotation shortage of organs is the main obstacle for kidney transplants, experts have said.
They also demanded an amendment to the Transplantation of Human Organs (amendment) Bill 2018.
A kidney transplant provides a better quality of life than dialysis, they said at the opening session of the two-day-long Gonoshasthaya Kendra International Nephrology Conference-2019 in Dhaka on Friday.
The program with the theme "Quality Renal Care with Affordable Cost" was organized at the Guerrilla Commander Major ATM Haider Biruttam auditorium of the Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital.
Speaking as chief guest, Bangladesh Renal Association founder Prof Matiur Rahman said: “It's necessary to make a national level database of dialysis patients as the authorities concerned can transplant their kidneys on a priority basis.”
He also emphasized on the amendment of the provision of the Transplantation of Human Organs (amendment) Bill 2018, considering international law.
On November 20, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury urged the government to amend a few sections of the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Bill 2018 so that anyone, and not only blood relatives can voluntarily donate their organs to those in need.
Four distinguished doctors--Dr Syed Anwarul Hafiz, Professor Emeritus of Gonoshasthaya Samaj Vittik Medical College, ENT specialist Prof Dr Mohammad Nurul Amin, eye specialist Prof Dr Rabiul Husain, Nephrologist Prof Dr Md Rafiqul Alam--were awarded Gonoshasthaya Kendra Gold Medals for their outstanding contribution to the medical sector.
Around 200 nephrologists from home and abroad, biomedical engineers and nurses took part in the conference. Training programs and workshops were initiated to introduce modern treatment facilities at an affordable cost to people from all walks of life.
Prof Brig Gen (retd) Mamun Mostafi, chief of Gonoshasthaya Dialysis Centre, presided over the inaugural session, while Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons President Prof Quazi Deen Mohammad, Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali, and former health advisor to the prime minister were present as special guests.
International Society of Nephrology President Prof Vivekanand Jha was present as the guest of honour.
