Probe commercial organ transplant claims, urge doctors

Doctors from the Malaysian Transplant Association (MTA) and Malaysian Nephrology Association (MNA) have called on the police to investigate allegations that a Malaysian hospital is involved in commercial organ transplants. MTA president Datuk Dr Harjit Singh said that recent media reports alleging Malaysia to be among several South-East Asian countries involved in commercial organ transplants had to be investigated.
He said the Malaysian Government had adopted the Istanbul Declaration regarding commercial organ transplants and is also a signatory to the World Health Organisation’s Guiding Principle on Organ Transplantation.
“Our national transplant policy cle-arly states that commercial and forced organ transplants are illegal,” he said.
It was reported in The Star on Sept 21 that Malaysia was among several countries investigated by Bangladeshi police in connection with an international syndicate linked to illegal kidney trade across several South-East Asian countries.
Investigators had identified a reputable international hospital with branches in key regions and capitals, including a hospital in Malaysia.
Initial investigations revealed that donors from remote villages in Bangladesh were flown to the region to sell their kidneys.
Eight people have been arrested in connection with luring poor illiterate victims overseas for the purpose.
Joypurhat Superintendent of Police Mozammel Haque was reported as saying that police had information of an international hospital’s involvement. The hospital has branches in India, Malaysia and Indonesia.
He said each victim was paid between US$2,000 (RM6,360) and US$3,000 (RM9,540) for a kidney, but he was unsure how much the organ was priced in the black market.
So far, at least seven cases of illegal sale of kidneys had surfaced in Joypurhat in northern Bangla-desh where largely impoverished communities survive on seasonal agricultural crops.

Two associations involved in organ transplants have called on police to investigate allegations of a hospital carrying out commercial organ transplants. Malaysian Transplant Association (MTA) president Datuk Dr Harjit Singh said that recent media reports alleging Malaysia to be among several Southeast Asian countries involved in commercial organ transplants should be investigated.
"We hope the police will launch an investigation into this matter as it is an issue that can tarnish our good name," he said after lodging a police report on the matter with members of the Malaysian Nephrology Association.
Health director-general Datuk Dr Hasan Abdul Rahman was reported as saying that transplants from unrelated donors need to be vetted by the independent Unrelated Transplant Approval Committee appointed by Health director-general before it can be carried out but from records, there were no such requests or applications.