April 18, 2023 DNA Forensics Laboratory Health
A recent shocking incident involving an organ transplant has come to the forefront. It revolves around Kapil, a 28-year-old man from Sirsa, who allegedly engaged in selling his kidney through forged documents to an individual suffering from kidney failure in Sonipat. Assisting Kapil in this illicit act was Abhishek, the transplant coordinator at a private hospital in Jawaharpur, Mohali. This incident once again highlights the prevalent illegal trade of kidneys and other organs in India and various parts of the world.
Organ trafficking is a global problem that affects people in both developed and developing countries. The black market for organ trafficking operates in a complex and sophisticated manner. This recent incident raises serious concerns regarding the legitimacy of organ transplants occurring in India. It is important to emphasize that organ donation is an altruistic and voluntary act, while the sale of organs is strictly prohibited under Indian law. According to the organ transplantation law in India, an Organ Transplant DNA Test is mandatory to establish the relationship between the donor and recipient before permission for the transplant is granted.
Overview of the Mohali Case
The case revolves around Indus International Hospital, situated near Jawaharpur village in the Mohali district of Punjab, India. In this hospital, a kidney transplant took place involving an unrelated donor who was promised a payment of INR 10,00,000 (ten lakhs).
Reports suggest that the hospital’s coordinator, Abhishek, was complicit in the fraud, and two other individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.
Initially, the donor, Kapil, a 28-year-old resident of Sirsa, agreed to sell his kidney for Rs. 10 lakhs to Satish Tayal, the patient from Sonipat. Abhishek created fake identification documents for Kapil under the name of Satish Tayal’s son, Aman Tayal, including a Voter ID and Aadhar Card.
The transplant, carried out on March 6, 2023, involved the use of counterfeit documents and the absence of proper medical evaluation or screening of the donor.
Kapil’s Tale of Greed and Suffering: Deceived After Losing a Kidney
The case takes a tragic turn with Kapil, the victim, and here is what transpired.
Kapil alleges that he was promised Rs 10 lakh for selling his kidney but received only Rs 4.5 lakh after the transplant. To make matters worse, he was confined to a room and left to fend for himself following the surgery.
While still locked in the room, Kapil decided to invest the received amount of INR 4 lakhs, hoping to double his money. He took this step based on advice from a friend, only to later discover that he lost all his invested money, leaving him penniless and without a kidney. In a state of desperation and solitude, he finally lodged a complaint through the police helpline number 112.
Police Actions and Investigations
Further investigations by the Mohali police have revealed that this is not the first case involving Abhishek. A total of 34 transplants have been conducted in this hospital under Abhishek’s coordination, and these cases are now under investigation. Abhishek is presently in custody.
This story highlights the issue of organ trafficking and its detrimental impact on victims. Kapil’s ordeal underscores the need for increased awareness and vigilance to prevent such crimes from occurring, particularly to safeguard individuals from falling prey to organ transplant scams.
Kidney Trafficking – Not an Isolated Incident; Numerous Cases Have Emerged!
These instances mentioned above are just a few examples of exposed organ trafficking cases in recent years within India. However, it is crucial to understand that such cases are not limited to India alone and occur in various parts of the world. This underscores the importance of raising awareness and taking action to prevent this illegal and unethical practice.
Legal Framework and Regulations
Organ transplantation in India is governed by the Transplantation of Human Organs Act (THOA). The THOA was promulgated by the Government of India in 1994, implemented in 1995, and revised in 2014 to broaden the scope of organ donation, including tissues for transplantation. The act explicitly prohibits the commercialization of organs and establishes penalties for those involved.
According to the THOA, 2014, in cases where the live donor and recipient are close relatives, an Organ Transplant DNA Test is mandatory along with Form-5. Organ Transplant DNA tests are conducted in India for various types of transplants, including kidney and liver transplants.
The THOA, 2014 also legalized organ donation from brain-dead individuals by their relatives in India. Brain death, also known as Brain Stem Damage, refers to a condition where the brain is irreversibly non-functional, and the body cannot survive without continuous life support.
DNA Forensics Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. – Your Partner for Kidney & Liver Transplant DNA Testing
DNA Forensics Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. has been at the forefront of peace of mind and legal DNA testing for many years. We are a trusted and reliable DNA testing company and laboratory offering Organ Transplant DNA tests in India.
Our testing facility is accredited by NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories), an independent governing body that ensures quality and standards in diagnostic and DNA testing labs in India. We provide comprehensive Organ Transplant DNA test reports along with Form-5, complying with the necessary requirements.
At DNA Forensics Laboratory Pvt. Ltd., we offer various types of Organ Transplant DNA tests in India, including tests for kidney and liver transplants, all conveniently available under one roof. We consider it our moral responsibility to urge our readers to stay updated with the latest laws pertaining to organ transplantation in India and, above all, to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to such scams.
Title: Long-term Study of a Kidney Transplant Recipient with Hepatitis C: Clinical Course and Treatment Outcomes
Abstract: This case study examines the clinical course of a kidney transplant recipient infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) over a 20-year period. The study focuses on the pathogenesis of hepatic disorders in the patient, the use of interferon (IFN)-α therapy, and the risk associated with this therapy. The patient experienced abnormal biochemical markers shortly after transplantation, followed by the development of hepatic disorders such as peliosis hepatis, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, and cholestasis. These conditions were attributed to the immunosuppressant medications used. The patient later developed chronic hepatitis with clinical and morphological features of HCV infection. IFN-α therapy was initiated in the 17th year but led to acute cellular rejection, which was successfully treated with OKT3. The study highlights the latency of HCV in kidney recipients and the potential for hepatotoxic drugs to induce liver diseases in HCV carriers. It also emphasizes the risk of IFN-α therapy in late-stage transplant recipients, with acute rejection being reversible with OKT3.
Summary: This case study follows a kidney transplant recipient infected with hepatitis C over 20 years. The patient experienced various hepatic disorders attributed to immunosuppressant medications. Chronic hepatitis developed, and IFN-α therapy was initiated but resulted in acute rejection. The study underscores the latent nature of HCV in kidney recipients and the risks associated with certain medications and IFN-α therapy. Rejection was successfully treated with OKT3.
