Health department overhauls leadership amid organ transplant scandal

Following the exposure of a fraudulent issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for organ transplants, the Health Department has made significant moves. In light of suspicions surrounding their involvement, Dr. Rajiv Bagrahatta, Principal of Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Medical College, Dr. Achal Sharma, Superintendent of SMS Hospital, and Dr. Sudhir Bhandari, Chairman of the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTO), were booked by the government. Subsequently, they tendered their resignations, which were accepted on Monday.

With the resignations of the Principal and Superintendent, fresh appointments have been made by the government. Dr. Deepak Maheshwari, a senior cardiologist and current Senior Professor in the Department of Cardiology at SMS Medical College, has been appointed as the acting Principal. Meanwhile, Dr. Sushil Bhati, Senior Professor and Head of the Anesthesia Department, has been appointed as the acting Superintendent of SMS Hospital.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) made significant progress in the case by arresting Gaurav Singh, Assistant Administrative Officer of SMS Hospital, along with officials from Fortis and EHCC hospitals for accepting bribes and issuing fake NOCs for organ transplants on April 1, 2024. This led to the suspension of Gaurav Singh and the cancellation of organ transplant licenses for EHCC, Fortis Escort, and Manipal hospitals by the Medical Health Department. In a separate development, on April 4, Gurugram Police in Haryana arrested five Bangladeshis, including a donor-receiver, in connection with illegal organ buying and selling at Fortis Hospital, Jaipur.

Responding to the situation, the state government has appointed the ACP Crime as the appropriate authority under the Human Organ and Tissue Transplant Act 1994, aiming for effective investigation and strict actions against the culprits involved in the fraudulent issuance of NOCs. Dr. Rashmi Gupta continues to serve as an Appropriate Authority under the Act.

Shubhra Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Medical Education Department, highlighted the government’s commitment to thorough investigation and stringent action, stating that the appointment of ACP Crime as the appropriate authority will facilitate criminal investigation and accountability in the case.