DHS probing 2 hospitals

Thane-based Jupiter Hospital and Parel-based Global Hospital have come under the scanner of the state Directorate of Health Services (DHS), which will ascertain whether or not there was any foul play in organ transplants conducted in these private hospitals since last year.

A source has claimed that the DHS suspects Global Hospital had allegedly indulged in ‘foul play’ by fabricating documents to get approvals.

Refusing to give more details about the specific case where a fraud is suspected to have been committed, the source said that all transplant records are being examined and the process would continue for a few more days.

A common link between the two hospitals is the fact that two nephrologists – Dr Mukesh Shete and Dr Mukesh Shah – worked with them in the past. The duo is among the five doctors arrested by the Powai police in its probe related to the kidney-transplant racket detected at the private Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital last month.

“The DHS is scrutinising records of transplants done at the three private hospitals under the scanner since last year. Two nephrologists who were arrested in the Hiranandani kidney scam used to visit these hospitals to conduct kidney transplants,” said a source.

Speaking about the investigation, Dr Gauri Rathod, assistant director, DHS, told The Asian Age, “We are looking at all papers related to transplant surgeries to see whether or not any kind of foul play was carried out. We are examining all possible aspects to spot any irregularity.”

When contacted, Jupiter Hospital’s Dr Vijay Surase said, “We are working as per the protocol and norms set up by the authorisation committee. We have documented all documents and conducted videography too.” He added, “The hospital has no problem if the DHS is doing its work. Let them work, we are in the clear.”

While speaking to The Asian Age, a source who works with Global Hospital said, said, “No such things are happening in our hospital. We are following the rules and guidelines properly.”

Meanwhile, Dr Tarang Gianchandani, CEO, Jaslok Hospital, approved of the DHS’s actions and said, “It’s good that DHS is checking transplant paper work. This will make our processes stronger.”

To get approvals for transplants, documents of the recipients and donors must be verified by the DHS and the authorisation committee, a six-member body set up by a hospital that scrutinises identity particulars and other documents to approve a live-organ transplant. The quorum to hold an authorisation committee is four and it must include a state government representative.