The Directorate of Medical Services (DMS) has issued a show cause notice to a city based hospital, Santosh Hospital (P) Ltd, seeking an explanation for an illegal transplantation of kidney performed in the hospital by one nephrologist, Dr. S. Vijayaraghavan in 2001. The notice sent was based on the recommendations from the Director of Medical Education (DME) Dr. C. Ravindranath, who also heads the State Authorisation Committee for organ transplantation. The notice seeks explanation as to why the registration granted to the hospital should not be withdrawn for conducting the illegal transplantation.

While the Authorisation Committee says both the hospital and the doctor are responsible, the hospital claims that the nephrologist used its premises to carry out the transplantation and that it was not involved in the illegal transplantation. Duraiswamy, the legal representative of the hospital confirmed the receipt of the show cause notice and stated "we will reply to the notice. But the hospital is not at fault."

Sale of organs has been banned by the Transplantation of the Human Organs Act 1994, which also mandates that all transplantation other than from blood relatives, should be approved by the State Authorisation Committee. A circular to this effect had been circulated to all hospitals along with a copy of the act.

Five months ago, the donor of the kidney in this case, M.R. Balasubramaniam in his complaint to the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) alleged that he was approached by the doctor for donating his kidney for which he would be paid Rs. 1.50 lakh. But he was just paid Rs.45,000. In October this year, the SHRC summoned the DME and the doctor concerned but the proceedings of the case was stayed by the Madras High Court.

The transplantation was performed on one Seralathan last year without the consent of the Authorisation Committee. Inquiries revealed there has been transaction of money.

In the meanwhile, the DME has also written to the Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) to initiate action against Dr. Vijayaraghavan, who is now underground, for illegal and unethical medical practice. The TNMC President, Dr. C.M.K.Reddy when contacted by Pharmabiz.com, claimed that the council will seek an explanation from such doctors and will not hesitate to cancel the registration and debar them from practicing if found guilty.