Ramakrishna Mission-run hospital refutes charges of kindey theft

Lucknow, Feb 1 (UNI) Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram- Vivekananda Polyclinic and Institute of Medical Sciences has refuted the charges of illegal removal of a kidney from a four-year-old boy in the city during an operation in November last.

Hospital's director Maharaj Krishnand Swami told mediapersons here that the doctors of the hospital removed the right kidney as it was infected with cancer.

He said the parents of the boy-- Prayanshu-- were informed about the removal of the organ and were even handed over the cancer affected kidney for biopsy.

The hospital also presented before the media all documents to prove their version on the entire charges made by the parents of the boy about removal of the kidney.

In a written statement issued by the hospital, it was said that a team of five doctors, led by Dr Asutosh Pandey successfully operated upon the boy on November 17.

The Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram statement said that they were ready for any probe into the episode as their organisation is meant to serve the people and there is nothing to hide.

Dr Asutosh Pandey, who performed the operation, also came before the media claiming that he had removed the kidney as it was infected with cancer.

He also refuted the charges that the parents were not informed about the removal of the organ.

The case came to light in the UP capital yesterday. Anil Pandey, the victim's father, had lodged a case in the district consumer court here early this month demanding a compensation of Rs 20 lakh from the hospital.

According to the petition, Prayanshu was operated upon in the hospital on November 17, 2007, for liver tumour after undergoing thorough medical tests prescribed by the concerned surgeon and the hospital doctors.

However, on December 27 last, the boy experienced severe pain in the right abdomen and after medical check ups, the kidney was found missing.

The complainant, a class-1V staff of a reputed private school of the state capital, claimed that when they approached the doctors, they accepted that they had removed the kidney as it was infected.

Anil also maintained that the medicos removed his son's kidney without obtaining permission and explaining its reasons and repercussions. He maintained, ''When all the diagnostic reports and medical tests prior to the operation claimed that both the kidneys of my son were working normally, what was the reason for its removal?'' In the petition, it was alleged that it seemed that the operating doctors, due to some gross negligence, had damaged the kidney of his son during the course of the surgery.

Besides, Anil said, the hospital had failed to explain the grave circumstances warranting complete removal of the kidney of his son without seeking the permission of the guardians.

He also demanded Rs 19 lakh as damages on account of illegal and negligent removal of kidney from the body of his son and another Rs one lakh on expenses incurred by him on medicines, operation and filing of the case.

It was also demanded that the court should ask the government to cancel the license of the concerned hospital for alleged negligence, shortcomings and inadequate quality of medical service.

UNI MB NAB MSJ AS1509