Bhubaneswar: Following reports that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha government to take action and cancel registration of Apollo Hospitals in Bhubaneswar, the State Health Minister Naba Das today said that he is yet to receive any letter from the commission.
"Neither I nor my department has received any such letter. Once we get the NHRC letter, we will review it and take appropriate action against Apollo Hospitals as per law," said Das.
The directive from the NHRC reportedly came in connection with violation of provisions of Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act in the hospital. As per reports, the matter is about a kidney transplant surgery which was conducted in the hospital in 2013. It is now alleged that the kidney of one Anil Kumar Swamy was taken out through deception during the surgery.
“The Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha is directed to take this matter before the Appropriate Authority for taking action within four weeks, under Section 16 of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994, with regard to suspension/cancellation of registration of Apollo Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, as it has breached the provisions of the said Act, and submit a report within eight weeks before the Commission,” read the NHRC notice issued yesterday.
“In this matter, the Authorization Committee constituted by the Government of Odisha has approved/granted NOC for transplantation of kidney from Jayaram Dora (donor) to Raghaba Ram Dora (recipient) without verifying or conducting proper enquiry in this matter and subsequently the kidney of Anil Swamy was removed and transplanted into the body of Raghaba Ram Dora,” the order stated.
“Also, it appears that there is a connivance of Apollo Hospitals for obtaining the NOC for transplantation of kidney of Jayaram Dora, whereas the kidney of Anil Kumar Swamy was taken out and transplanted into the body of Raghaba Ram Dora. This is a serious lapse on the part of the Authorization Committee constituted by the State Government as it has granted the NOC in a very routine manner. Hence, the Government of Odisha is vicariously liable for such lapse of the Authorization Committee,” the report read.
Moreover, the NHRC has reportedly issued a show cause to the Odisha government seeking reply that as to why the statutory public body should not recommend a compensation of Rs 2,00,000 to the victim.