Private Hospitals Association denies illegal kidney transplants

Following the Government suspension of all foreign kidney transplants in Sri Lanka, the Private Hospitals Association yesterday denied any illegal activity and insisted all hospitals comply with “rigorous regulatory and legal procedures.”   

Earlier this week Indian Police nabbed the kingpin of a kidney racket in Telangana, on the charge of conducting an estimated 60 paid kidney transplants at private hospitals in the South Asian nation.

In response a fresh committee was appointed by the Health Ministry and Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne insisted legal action would be taken, if necessary, once the report was submitted next week. The committee is also tasked with establishing a new process to gain approvals for foreigners to have transplants in Sri Lanka.

“Member hospitals of the Association perform a variety of surgeries for local and foreign patients. Kidney transplant is one such surgery performed in these hospitals,” the Private Hospitals Association said in a statement on Friday.    

“Organ transplant surgeries come under the purview of the Human Tissue Act of 1987, Sri Lanka.  As such, the hospitals comply with rigorous regulatory and legal procedures as established by the Ministry of Health. All such surgeries are authorised by the Ministry of Health prior to surgery. All member hospitals abide by this procedure,” it added.

The Minister also emphasised no decision had yet been taken to press charges against the private hospitals allegedly involved in the illegal transplants. Under current Sri Lankan law, organ transplant operations require prior approval from the Health Ministry.

This is the second time an investigation is being commissioned on the matter. In 2014, the Health Ministry commissioned an inspection of all private hospitals in the country following accounts of illegal kidney transplants being carried out in private hospitals reported in both Indian and local papers.

Indian media this week reported on fresh arrests on the alleged kidney transplant racket. Reports also said that several Sri Lankan doctors attached to four private hospitals were involved in the racket. According to Indian Daily, The Hindu, all transplants had taken place in four Sri Lankan hospitals while all donors and recipients involved in the racket were from India.