: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday ordered the formation of a committee to reframe the Standard Operating Procedure for kidney transplants in the State. The panel will submit its report in 15 days.
“After the kidney racket was busted in July, urologists and nephrologists have been meeting us to discuss the situation,” said Health Minister Deepak Sawant.
Headed by the Health Minister, the committee will have members from the departments of higher medical education, law and judiciary, apart from nephrologists and urologists.
The government has also decided to put the onus of maintaining standards on hospitals, and asked them to set up a special cell.
“Information on kidney donors will be stored online by linking the donor’s Aadhar card. The software will contain complete information on the receiver, donor, and details of the operation,” said Mr. Sawant, adding that hospitals would have to ensure future health check-ups of the donor.
The special cell will also conduct counselling sessions. “The sessions include playing a video on the operation and its possible outcomes. This process, and the signing of the consent form by both sides will be on camera,” said the minister.
The government has decided to launch a public awareness campaign on organ transplant procedures.
In Maharashtra, about 75 hospitals have licences to perform kidney transplants, seven hospitals are permitted to perform heart transplants, five can perform lung transplants, and 21 can perform liver transplant operations.
