THIS is with reference to the piece `In Distress` which was part of the `Grapevine` section (ICON, July, 9), which talked about an appeal for donations endorsed by many, including actor Adnan Siddiqui, about singer Asad Abbas who, as the report said, was on permanent dialysis because of kidney failure, and was undergoing the procedure four times a week. The appeal was to generate Rs50 million to enable the singer to get treatment.

We all know the ultimate treatment for this disease is transplant. Now the matter of fact is that in Pakistan, ethical, legal and family-donated kidney transplant is completely non-commercial and institutional. We have a long history of struggle to convince the legislators which resulted in the formation of the Human Organ Transplant Authority (HOTA). The legal framework today exists in every province of the country, and deals with this specific matter.

The appeal for an amount any amount is a violation of the ethical principles involved besides being unlawful and unjust, considering that a kidney donor in such cases is often coerced into selling a vital organ for money. Publishing and validating such appeals fall under the same category.

Contrary to what the piece says, kidneytransplant in Pakistan is done regularly in public-sector hospitals in every province and is absolutely free of cost.

Dr Asad Shahzad Hasan Professor, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) Karachi