Delhi Apollo Hospital denies allegations of involvement in illegal kidney transplantations

The report has also mentioned the name of a senior transplant surgeon of the hospital, stating that he was named by patients and agents as the surgeon who conducted the transplants.

According to the report, the scam involves elaborate forging of identity documents and family trees, and staging of ‘family’ photographs to present donors as the relatives of would-be patients. It also alleges that the donation is made in return for money.

Following the controversy, Apollo Hospital authorities have removed Dr Thet Oo, the doctor responsible for looking after renal transplant cases at its Myanmar centre.

Responding to the allegations, the hospital issued a statement terming them “false”. It added that the group complies with every legal and ethical requirement for transplant procedures, including all guidelines laid down by the government as well as its own extensive internal processes that exceed compliance requirements.

It further stated that Apollo Hospital requires every donor to provide Form 21, notarised by the appropriate ministry in their country. “This form is a certification from the foreign government that the donor and recipient are indeed related. The government-appointed transplant authorisation committee at IMCL reviews documents for each case including this certification and interviews the donor and the recipient. It further re-validates the documents with the concerned embassy of the country,” the statement said.

IMCL or Indraprastha Medical Corporation Ltd is a joint venture between Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (AHEL) and the Delhi government.

The hospital added that the patients and donors undergo several medical tests, including genetic testing. These and many more steps far exceed any compliance requirements for a transplant procedure and ensure that the donor and recipient are indeed related as per applicable laws.