THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Amidst several campaigns against organ transplantation gaining momentum, the state branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) alleges that a racket, getting commission through organ donation, is responsible for the anti-cadaver transplant campaign. The IMA asked the state government to conduct an investigation into the live organ transplants since 2016 and to check if any financial dealing is involved in any case.

IMA state secretary M Sulphi and state president M E Sugathan said in a press statement that some people worked as middlemen to sell kidney for Rs 20-25 lakhs. They receive a good share as commission. Such people are facilitating campaigns to hinder cadaver transplant. They are responsible for creating fake accounts on social media and are creating fake videos to spread wrong information. They stated that if cadaver transplant gains popularity, it will affect live organ transplants and the racket will suffer financially. Therefore, they are conspiring against cadaver transplant.

While there has been a dramatic reduction in the number of cadaver transplants, live organ transplant is continuing as usual. IMA suspects the role of middlemen in live organ transplant.

The number of organ donors was 76 and 72 in 2015 and 2016, respectively. It has gone down to just eight in 2018. This year has seen only four cadaver transplants thus far. (TNN)