New committee appointed to probe kidney racket
January 23, 2016 04:40 pm
A new five-member committee has been appointed by the Director General of Health Services Dr Palitha Mahipala to investigate into alleged kidney transplant racket involving Sri Lankan doctors.
The composition of the three-member committee initially appointed has been changed under the instruction of Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne in order to expedite the investigation process and make it comprehensive.
Deputy Director General (Dental Services) Dr. Jayasundara Bandara, has been appointed as the chairman of the committee, which also includes Deputy Director General (Medical Services) Dr. Lakshmi C. Somathunga, Director (Laboratory Services) Dr. Kamal Jayasinghe, Consultant Medical Administrator Dr. Rajapriya Balasuriya and Senior Assistant Secretary Rohana Silva.
Indian police recently uncovered information regarding 6 Sri Lankan doctors from 4 private hospitals allegedly involved in the kidney racket.
The Ministry of Health launched an investigation into the allegations and appointed a three-member committee comprising Dr. Kanthi Ariyaratne, Director of Private Health Sector Development, Dr. Deepthi Perera, Provincial Director of Health Services (Western Province), and a senior official of the Health Ministry’s investigative unit.
The committee was expected to visit the private hospital where the doctors named by Indian police have performed kidney transplant surgeries.
Director General of Health Services Dr Palitha Mahipala had instructed the committee to expedite investigations and submit a report within one week.
The ministry is expected to take necessary action based on the findings of the committee.
Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Dr Rajitha Senaratne, told media this week that if the Sri Lankan doctors are found guilty, the Medical Council of Sri Lanka has the power to bar them from practicing medicine.
