Hospital denies charge

According to the hospital’s medical director, Dr P M Bhujang, Ali took the HLA tissue typing test in April 1997 and two months later underwent a renal angiogram and intra-venous pilography (IVP). A written consent form for the second procedure dated June 6, 1997 and signed by Ali is in the possession of the hospital. These tests, performed prior to kidney transplant and other kidney-related procedures, are conducted without administering anaesthesia. According to Dr Bhujang, Ali was referred tothe H N hospital for these tests by two different doctors neither of whom belong to the hospital. Dr Bhujang, however, refused to divulge their names saying that the Bhiwandi police were yet to visit the hospital for investigations. The Bhiwandi police would be visiting the hospital on Saturday morning.

However, the Bhiwandi police, today went on record saying that initial investigations had confirmed that though Ali was operated at Ranchi, Bihar, he was kept at the HN Hospital for two months. Head Constable P M Mistry of the Bhiwandi police station said one of the accused, Lalya had confessed that Ali was at the H N Hospital between March and June 1997. According to the Transplant of Human Organs Act 1994,’ the immediate family members of the patient are first considered for organ donation. If none of them are willing to donate, an affidavit enlisting the difficulties faced by each one of them has to be submitted. This is reviewed by the Organ Transplant Committee appointed by the government.

If anunrelated donor is being considered, he is interviewed by this committee in order to ensure that the donation is based on philanthropy and that no monetary exchange has taken place. The organ can be donated only after a no-objection certificate is issued by the office of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Govt of Maharashtra.