In a major controversy combining politics and healthcare, Gujarat Congress spokesperson Parthivraj Kathwada has accused the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC), Ahmedabad, of conducting unauthorized stem cell therapy trials and questionable kidney transplants over a span of nearly two decades.
Clinical Trials Conducted Without Mandatory Approvals
At a recent press conference, Kathwada alleged that between 1999 and 2017, IKDRC performed stem cell therapy on 2,352 patients without receiving prior clearance from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) or the National Apex Committee for Stem Cell Research and Therapy (NAC-SCRT).
>According to his claims, 741 patients died during these treatments, 567 kidney transplants failed, and 110 patients were deemed ineligible for transplant procedures but were still included.
Congress Demands Accountability for Medical Violations
As reported by gujaratsamachar, Kathwada stated that all the figures and findings have been documented in a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, which serves as the basis for the Congress party’s call for immediate government action.
>He further accused the Gujarat health department of “criminal negligence” for allegedly ignoring these serious breaches of medical ethics and regulations.
Union Health Ministry Orders Immediate Investigation
Responding to the allegations, Dr. Anil Kumar has taken swift action. He is the Director of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) under the Union Health Ministry. He has directed the Additional Director of Medical Education in Gujarat to submit an action taken report within 15 days.
The investigation will focus on illegal cadaveric kidney transplants conducted on foreign nationals. It will also examine IKDRC’s unapproved use of stem cell therapy. This may violate the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA).
Call for Transparent Action and Regulatory Reform
As scrutiny intensifies, political and medical communities alike are calling for transparency and accountability. The developments are likely to trigger wider discussions on clinical trial oversight and transplant program ethics. They may also prompt calls for stricter enforcement of regulatory frameworks in India’s healthcare system.