The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has initiated an inquiry following reports implicating a prominent hospital in Delhi, Apollo Hospital, and Dr. Sandeep Guleria in an alleged illegal kidney racket. The accusation suggests involvement in enticing impoverished individuals from Myanmar to sell their organs for profit, sparking concerns about potential health risks and exploitation.
Official sources revealed that the DGHS communicated with the director of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) after media reports surfaced, indicating a grave violation of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994. The letter directed the Secretary (Health), Government of Delhi, as the appropriate authority to investigate the matter within the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
The letter urges a thorough examination and appropriate actions as per the provisions of THOTA, 1994, demanding a comprehensive action taken report within a week.
In response to these allegations, Indraprastha Medical Corporation Ltd. (IMCL), a part of the Apollo Hospitals group, vehemently refuted the claims of involvement in any illicit “cash for kidney” scheme. A recent report in a UK-based newspaper alleged the hospital’s involvement in illegal kidney purchases from impoverished individuals in Myanmar for affluent patients from the same country.
An IMCL spokesperson labeled these accusations as “absolutely false, ill-informed, and misleading,” affirming their stringent adherence to legal and ethical requirements for transplant procedures. The spokesperson detailed the extensive procedures followed, including stringent documentation and verification processes, surpassing compliance standards stipulated by the government.
The hospital requires donors to submit ‘Form 21’, notarized by the relevant ministry in their country, certifying the donor-recipient relationship. The spokesperson emphasized the meticulous scrutiny of documents by a government-appointed transplant authorization committee and thorough medical examinations for both donors and recipients.
Reiterating their commitment to ethical practices and stringent compliance, IMCL emphasized their adherence to the highest standards of ethics in delivering healthcare services.
The Transplantation of Human Organs Act in India strictly regulates organ donations, limiting donations to close relatives and humanitarian causes permitted by the Act. Donations from strangers are restricted, emphasizing the significance of legal and ethical compliance in organ transplantation procedures.
Sources By Agencies
