Getting approval for live related kidney transplant is all set to get more difficult, with the state authorisation committee planning to introduce a new rule to verify the required documents. Taking serious cognisance of the recent kidney racket bust, the committee said that the hospital committee will have to get the submitted documents verified from the issuing authority to prevent forgery.
While the final call on this new rule is yet to be taken, health experts opined that it will make the entire process cumbersome. According to sources in the medical education department, the rule will be applicable to Maharashtra residents only. It has not yet been decided what mechanism would apply to patients coming from outside Maharashtra. The State Authorisation Committee is responsible for making rules and regulation, and for giving permission for live, non-related transplants.
Three days ago, the Powai police had detained four people for allegedly running a kidney racket. Subsequently, the state ordered an inquiry to ascertain if there was any lapse on the part of Dr LH Hiranandani hospital staffers, while scrutinising the documents. "After this incident, we need to take some steps to curb document forgery. We are planning to introduce a new rule for Maharashtra patients. Documents of both recipient and donor will have to be verified by the issuing authority. We will definitely come up with some mechanism to check documents of patients from outside," said Dr Pravin Shingare, chairmen of the State Authorisation Committee and director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER).
Meanwhile, while requesting anonymity, a senior doctor said, "I agree with the government move. We need stringent rules to curb illegal practices. But the proposed process will lead to delays."
In India, kidney transplant is performed under the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA), 1994, which was amended in 2014. According to the law, if donor and recipient are close relatives, they need to take permission from a hospital-level committee. If they are extended relatives, from outside the state or country, or if it is a case of swap transplant, such cases go to the State Authorisation Committee for permission.
This hospital committee comprises of hospital CEO or medical director, a social worker or retired government officer, a member from the health department, along with a legal expert. Once the committee is convinced, then only a transplant can take place.
