Tamil Nadu Revokes Transplant Licences Of 2 Hospitals Over 'Kidney Trafficking Racket'

In a significant move aimed at curbing illegal organ trade, Tamil Nadu government has suspended the kidney transplant licences of two prominent private hospitals—Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Medical College Hospital in Perambalur and Cethar Hospitals in Trichy. The action comes in the wake of disturbing revelations about unauthorised kidney transplants linked to an alleged organ trafficking racket.

Kidney Sale Racket In Tamil Nadu?

The crackdown follows a preliminary inquiry conducted by the state’s Health Department after alarming reports emerged indicating that a kidney broker based in Namakkal had been coercing financially vulnerable individuals—especially textile workers—into selling their kidneys in exchange for cash. The revelations point to a systematic exploitation of poverty-stricken families, in clear violation of India’s Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, as per a report on NDTV.

In one of the most distressing testimonies, a woman and mother of two disclosed that she was paid Rs 6.5 lakh in return for a kidney donation, which she said was done to clear mounting family debts.

On July 23, the Health Department formally confirmed the suspension of transplant authorisation at both hospitals. The action was taken based on a preliminary report submitted by Dr S Vineeth, Project Director of the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project, reported The Hindu. The report found sufficient grounds for invoking Section 16(2) of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, empowering the government to cancel transplant approvals in the interest of public safety and ethical medical practice.

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