Cong alleges 741 patients died of illegal stem cell trials, questionable kidney transfers at IKDRC

In a significant political and medical controversy, Gujarat Congress spokesperson Parthivraj Kathwada has levelled serious allegations against the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC), Ahmedabad, over  illegal stem cell therapy trials and questionable kidney transplants. 

At a press briefing, Kathwada claimed that between 1999 and 2017, IKDRC conducted clinical trials of stem cell therapy on 2,352 patients without prior approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) or the National Apex Committee for Stem Cell Research and Therapy (NAC-SCRT).

Out of these, 741 patients allegedly died during the course of treatment. Additionally, he alleged that 567 kidney transplants failed, and 110 patients were found ineligible for transplant procedures altogether.

Kathwada claimed that all the data is available in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report.

The Congress demanded accountability and accused the Gujarat health department of ‘criminal negligence’ despite the alleged violations.

Meanwhile, Dr Anil Kumar, Director of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) under the Union Health Ministry, has asked Gujarat’s Additional Director of Medical Education to submit an action taken report within 15 days by investigating “illegal cadaveric kidney transplants to foreign nationals and unapproved stem cell therapy by IKDRC” under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA).