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Last Updated : 2024-05-14 07:40:00
7 December 2022 05:56 pm - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Western Hospital, the private hospital at No. 218 Cotta Road, Borella which was exposed in connection with the alleged kidney racket has denied any involvement with organ trafficking or the smuggling of organs.
Western Hospital said that in no circumstances has it been involved, nor would they ever be involved in any manner whatsoever in ‘organ trafficking’ or the ‘smuggling of organs’.
It said the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has now arrested what it terms a ‘main suspect’ of the alleged racket.
"We hope the investigations would soon reveal the truth in to the claims reported by the media," the statement said.
The statement said that during the Hospital's existence over the last three decades, Western Hospital gained a reputation locally and internationally for providing some of the best health care to patients with world class processes, procedures, staff and facilities.
"Over the years we have conducted over 1200 Kidney transplants and over 10,000 patients have been dialyzed in the Hospital giving life to all these patients."
"However as much as the Hospital received many accolades it has also been the subject of envy among many," the Hospital said.
For instance, immediately in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attack, one prominent politician made public allegations that the hospital had treated a terrorist, namely Zaharan’s brother ‘Rilwan’. The news spread far and wide on social media resulting in grave loss of reputation and goodwill for the Hospital. This statement was blatantly false, and orchestrated as a smear campaign against the Hospital. The story resulted in extensive investigations by the Criminal Investigations Department at the time at the cost of tax payers money and valuable resources, all based on an absolute lie.
Similarly, now there is also a deliberate and concerted attempt to implicate the Hospital. Thus, on or around the 18th of November 2022 a group of persons stormed the Hospital premises, demanding exorbitant sums of money which they said was due to them in lieu of their donation of Kidneys. They claimed they had only been paid a part of it. Such transactions are illegal and our staff promptly informed them of the same, that you cannot sell your organs for any consideration. The entire demand and show of force was illegal and amounted to threat, intimidation and extortion including the threat of setting fire to the institution This was also a calculated affair with the presence of media, the Hospital said.
In fact, there is a stringent procedure by which consent is obtained of any Donor No donors organs are taken against his will. These include a comprehensive interview with an independent committee headed by Professor Ravindra Fernando and comprising Dr. Ariyarani Gnanadasan, Ms. Champika Monarawila Attorney-at- law and Mr. K.A.S Darmasiri.
Following that there is a three tier process by which the Health Ministry grants approval. Any Donor can at anytime prior to the transplant revoke their consent including whilst on the way to surgery. The Donors have to comply with rigorous legal requirements prior to agreeing to donate their organs. Five other Private Hospitals conduct Kidney Transplants in the Island and each and everyone of them follow the same process and procedures we follow.
The media reports and the sensationalism surrounding the issue has been both malicious and false. These include fantastical stories such as the promise of moneys for the ‘transplantation of testicles’. Similar to the media frenzy surrounding the medically and scientifically impossible story of mass sterilization by Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, many today believe that our Hospital is also guilty of the claims laid bare in the media.
Whilst, the Hospital reiterates in absolute assistance to any legitimate investigation carried out in the usual course, we wish to put the record straight in order to stop the injustice that is being perpetuated on the Hospital by parties with vested interests for reasons best known to them, the statement added.
Nothing Special About Doctors Wednesday, 07 December 2022 06:12 PM
The system that puts the Doctors at the top of all professions has given the doctors so much arrogance, this is why they don’t think twice about breaking the law.
true lankan Wednesday, 07 December 2022 06:15 PM
//The entire demand and show of force was illegal and amounted to threat, intimidation and extortion including the threat of setting fire to the institution This was also a calculated affair with the presence of media, the Hospital said. Did you complain to the police when this happened? You are trying to paint a different picture now.Looks suspicious
Anne Wednesday, 07 December 2022 07:02 PM
I have known the directors of this hospital for over 35 years. They are good and kind humans with wonderful hearts. May they have kindess showed to them in their just pursuit to clear their name
Terrence K Wednesday, 07 December 2022 07:12 PM
Always some elements are spokes in the wheels when something good is happening to our public. Previously some of these transplants took place in India with much cost like air travel for the patient, accompanying helpers, hospital costs etc. and finding a donor to be compatible between the donor and the patient. When these transplants are being handled by our owned professionals who have acquired skills in Sri Lanka and overseas the much needed foreign currencies are saved and the hassle to the kith and kin of the patient could be curbed. Our society is full of selfish people who are unable to appreciate anything good happening to the citizens of this country and this is the curse which has befallen us. When politicians do nefarious activities everything is camouflaged. Today the Truth is manipulated as Untruth and vice versa. When certain devilish people have vendettas with those they detest fabrication takes place.
joshua Wednesday, 07 December 2022 08:24 PM
may be the hospital is in trouble because it did not pay commissions to the political morons
Jathipala Hungedara Thursday, 08 December 2022 06:56 AM
They are NOT doctors - They are sons of SATAN - like MR and RW and Kaputa etc - Money before everything!!
Srilankan Thursday, 08 December 2022 07:23 AM
May be similar to Dr. Shafi's case
Concerned Citizen Thursday, 08 December 2022 09:47 AM
All this could be as a result of the exorbitant charges the patients have to dish out to this private hospital for their kidney transplantation. It's advisable that the poor patients seeks medical assistance at Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, Nugegoda.
Roshanaly Thursday, 08 December 2022 10:56 AM
This Media has started their work again by targeting the Business belonging to the Minority Group. Even before this there was so many Kidney selling cases all were buried. This Organ selling is not new.
Sensible person Thursday, 08 December 2022 11:36 AM
Where ever human beings exist jealousy exist. This is the sole reason the chauvinistic south politicians do not like North and East to develop. Not willing for two states in one country.
cineha Thursday, 08 December 2022 01:40 PM
Now don't beat around the bush. Simply explain why a police officer travelled in the private car of a lady doctor attached to this hospital to threaten the donors, which was clearly seen in the news clip.
Terrence K Friday, 09 December 2022 08:49 AM
Assumptions have been the order of the day as some of the public cherish to get a thrill from sensational gossip when they call wolf wolf wolf nothing takes place but at a time least expected when the Bell Tolls for them there will be no place for them to hide. Warning signal is ensure that you need tangible evidence when commenting otherwise you will be nicknamed "Muwa'
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