IMA smells a rat in campaign against cadaver transplant

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With various campaigns against organ transplantation gaining momentum, the state branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) has alleged that a racket, which gets commission through organ donation, is behind the anti-cadaver transplant campaign. The IMA asked state government to conduct an investigation into live organ transplants since 2016 and find out whether any financial dealing is involved in any case.


"Some people worked as middlemen to sell kidney for Rs 20-25 lakhs. They also receive a good share as commission. Such people are unleashing campaigns to sabotage cadaver transplant. They are creating fake accounts in social media and are creating fake videos to spread wrong information. If cadaver transplant becomes popular, it will affect live transplant and the racket will suffer financial loss. So, they are conspiring against cadaver transplant," IMA state secretary M Sulphi and state president M E Sugathan said in a press statement.

There is a drastic reduction in the number of cadaver transplants. However, live organ transplant is continuing as usual. IMA suspects that middlemen are active in live organ transplant, the statement said.

The number of organ donors which was 76 and 72 in 2015 and 2016, respectively has gone down to just eight in 2018. This year has recorded four cadaver transplants so far.