The DMER has started its parallel investigation between Ruby Hall Clinic and the complainant due to the ongoing alleged Kidney Racket.
The Maharashtra Health Department has suspended the license for organ transplant to a city-based clinic named, Ruby Hall Clinic, for six months in connection with the Pune Kidney Racket. The incident came to light after a donor from Kolhapur was presented as an organ receiver’s ‘wife’ and promised a large sum of money in return. The case will showcase the loopholes in the organ transplant system, often exploited by the organ trading mafia to deceive victims.
Director of the Health Services, Maharashtra State, Dr. Sadhana Tayade, confirmed the news. The suspension includes suspending licenses for live donors and cadaver donations, but the hospital will continue to function as a nontransplant organ retrieval center or NTORC. During an interview with TOI, Sanjay Deshmukh, assistant director of health services, mentioned that the suspension is temporary. Further, the government will take action after the final reports of the investigation, by a committee led by the Deputy Director of Health from Nashik Circle and the Director of Medical Education and Research (DMER).
The hospital defended the accusations implied to them. In her statement, Ruby Hall Clinic’s legal advisor, Manjusha Kulkarni, questioned how the hospital could be responsible for such a heinous crime when the procedure was performed after verifying all the documents and completing all legal formalities. The Regional Authorization Committee gave the clinic requisite approval for an organ transplant at Sassoon General Hospital. The DMER has conducted a parallel inquiry on both the parties involved by questioning officials.
Under the case registered in Koregaon Police station on March 29th, the woman mentioned two agents approached her for a kidney transplant, and in return, she would receive Rs. 15 lakhs. The
surgery was completed on March 24th, but she didn’t receive the promised amount. On the same day, Ruby Hall Clinic filed a complaint against her for concealing the fact that she wasn’t the wife of the organ receiver.
Published by Diwakar Kumar
Edited by:Â Aaradhana Singh
