Maharashtra to form new SOPs to govern organ transplants

The state health minister Deepak Sawant has agreed to create a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organ transplants which include among other things photographing both the donor and the recipient just before the operation, videography of the patients post operation and linking of aadhar cards along with the surgery documents.

Following the revelation of the kidney transplant racket at Powai’s Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital in July, a group of city-based urologists and nephrologists had requested him to alter the SOPs and exempt doctors from the pre-transplant verification process.

The minister however specified that he would not modify the arrest terms of the SOP. If doctors are found violating rules, the law would take its course, he said.

He further said the Directorate of Health Services and the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) would look into the issues raised by the doctors.

“We have considered a few of the points raised by the doctors. However, the arrest terms will not altered,” Mr Sawant told this paper.

Dr Shrikant Badwe, president of the Mumbai Urology Society, said, “We got a positive response. I hope the authorities come up with foolproof SOPs, benefiting both doctors and patients.”

According to the new SOPs, both the donor and the recipient will have to be photographed on bed, just before they are operated upon. After the operation, the patients will be videotaped and in keeping with the post-transplant protocol will have to be monitored for complications, if any.

Also, along with the documents submitted for the operation, their aadhar card will also be crosschecked and the papers scanned to verify identities. Also, follow-ups would have to be conducted to check if the donor is related to the recipient and looked after well. In case of a woman donor, doctors would have to be extra cautious. Mr Sawant said the SOPs would be framed this week and presented for final approval.