UP man’s kidney missing after stone removal surgery; how to ensure safety from possible organ trafficking

New Delhi: A 53-year-old man in UP said he was shocked to find that his left kidney was allegedly removed on the pretext of stone removal surgery.

Suresh Chandra, a resident of Aligarh, who works as a Home Guard suffered severe pain in the lower abdomen and got his ultrasound done earlier this year which showed the presence of stones in his left kidney. He was then referred to a private hospital where his surgery was performed.

However, recently, he again felt pain and got another ultrasound performed. And to Suresh's horror, he was informed that one of his kidneys was missing.

A probe has been ordered by the authorities, however, there has been no reaction from the hospital till now.

Organ trafficking is a flourishing business

According to a report by the United Nations, organ trafficking and malpractice is a flourishing trade across the world. It is estimated that 10 per cent of the organ transplants done globally are completed using black-market organs that are smuggled from poorer nations. Cultural and religious customs ban or discourage some individuals from donating organs willingly or receiving post-mortem organ donations.

According to American Transplant Foundation, at least 1,14,000 people are on the organ waitlist in the US, and a new person is added every 10 minutes.

A UN report has said organ trafficking victims, as with most human trafficking victims, are generally poor, vulnerable populations, who are usually put under anesthesia and wake to find their organs missing or are murdered for their organs.

How to ensure patient safety from possible medical malpractices

When undergoing surgery that involves an organ, it is very important to keep a few safety procedures in mind.

According to the Human Trafficking hotline, safety planning should include risk assessments, preparations, and contingency plans. Whenever you go for surgery, do keep a few tips in mind:

• Always trust your judgment and if a situation or individual makes you uncomfortable, do walk out.
• Let a friend or relative be there around for the surgery
• Keep all important documents and identification in your possession at all times.
• Communicate with the doctor frankly and ask questions to be clear about the process of surgery
• Always take it in writing so that you have proof of any misdealing that happens later.
• If you require surgery, always make sure to get a second opinion on the matter to be sure of the diagnosis.
• Make sure to choose a hospital that follows protocols of regular sanitising and disinfecting so that recovery can be infection-free.
• Always check the hospital is registered and authorised to perform surgeries
• Always ask for doctor's references for past surgeries done. If possible, ask friends or relatives for feedback
• If you suspect the hospital of malpractices do not take a chance with surgery

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.