Illegal Kidney Transplant: NHRC Asks Odisha Govt To Cancel Registration Of Apollo Hospitals

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Sunday directed the Odisha government to cancel/suspend registration of Apollo Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, for alleged illegal transplantation of kidney in the private hospital.

“The Chief Secretary is also directed to submit action taken report u/s 16 of the Transplantation of Human Organs & Tissues Act, 1994, with regard to suspension/cancellation of registration of the Apollo Hospital Bhubaneswar, Odisha, within six weeks positively failing which the Commission shall be constrained to issue coercive process u/s 13 of the PHR Act, 1993,” the notice said.

The government has also been asked to pay Rs 2 lakh to the victim, Anil Kumar Swamy, and submit proof of payment within six weeks.

The case pertains to kidney transplantation involving Swamy and his neighbour Raghaba Ram Dora through deceitful names in connivance with Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET), and the hospital. In 2016, Activist Akhand had moved the rights body alleging that the private hospital had taken out Swamy’s kidney through deception and sought action.

The Commission further said that there was a serious lapse on the part of the Authorization Committee constituted by the state government as it granted the NOC in a very routine manner without verifying or conducting proper enquiry in this matter. While the NOC was granted for transplantation of kidney from Jayaram Dora (donor) to Raghaba Ram Dora (recipient), subsequently that of Swamy was removed and transplanted into the body of the recipient.

It also found connivance of Apollo Hospitals in the whole incident.

“Hence, the Government of Odisha is vicariously liable for such lapse of the Authorization Committee,” it added.