Kidney trade scandal surfaces in capital

ISLAMABAD: Federal health authorities have uncovered an alarming racket of illegal organ trade in Islamabad, where patients from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have undergone unrelated kidney transplants at two private hospitals in the capital, allegedly in exchange for large sums of money.

The investigation reveals a deep-rooted system where requests for kidney transplants were manipulated and approved despite clear evidence of irregularities and illegal activity. The investigations focused on 22 unrelated kidney transplant requests submitted to the HOTA within the last few weeks, and all were found to be “clear cases” of illegal organ trade.

Speaking to The News, one of the officials involved in the investigation revealed that most of the patients seeking transplants were from Punjab, including Lahore, where state-of-the-art transplant facilities exist. Several other cases were also traced back to the KP.

The investigation further uncovered that 95 percent of transplant requests came from a private hospital in Islamabad’s G-8 Markaz, while some requests were also linked to a healthcare facility on Peshawar Road.

“When we examined the requests for unrelated kidney transplants, we found fabricated medical reports from non-existent laboratories. In many cases, identical reports were used to declare close family members of patients unfit to donate,” one of the officials said, detailing the manipulation.

The fake medical reports frequently showed close family members as diabetic, overage, or incompatible blood group matches, making them “ineligible” to donate. The majority of the transplant requests were accompanied by fake reports that fabricated donor profiles, often involving illiterate and poor individuals, presented as voluntary donors. In many of these cases, the donors were shown as domestic servants, tenants, or neighbours—who were allegedly paid substantial amounts to donate their kidneys.

One investigator disclosed that a laboratory in G-8 Markaz played a central role in the racket by preparing fake medical reports. “This lab may also have a pool of donors, including poor peasants and even drug addicts, who are approached to sell their organs if their tissue and blood match any patient in need,” the official said.

Furthermore, wealthy and well-off young patients undergoing dialysis at centres across the country were reportedly identified and offered kidneys. “Once these patients agreed, complete case files were prepared and sent to the Federal HOTA, which has been allowing these illegal transplants for years,” the investigator added.

The investigation also revealed evidence of fake CNICs being created to facilitate the transplants. “In some cases, the dates of birth for organ donors and their spouses were the same, which is an extremely rare occurrence and a clear indication of fraudulent documentation,” the official stated.

The investigation also revealed that financial incentives were involved for the donors, who were estimated to have received anywhere between 300,000 to 500,000 rupees for their organs. The hospitals, meanwhile, were charging patients significantly more—up to five to ten times the cost of a legitimate transplant.

Officials involved in the investigation revealed that as they probed the requests for unrelated kidney transplants, they faced immense pressure from influential segments of society. Influential quarters reportedly approached the ministry, urging it to take a lenient view of these cases. “We are being pressed to approve the unrelated transplants, with arguments centred on the urgency of saving young patients’ lives, despite clear evidence of wrongdoing in the requests,” the investigator said, adding that this undue pressure not only hindered the investigation but also highlighted the systemic challenges in combating illegal practices within the healthcare sector.

The scandal has led to severe questions about the role of Federal HOTA officials in enabling the malpractice. “Without the connivance of HOTA officials, this racket would not have functioned,” a senior official said.

“A private hospital in G-8 Markaz and another on Peshawar Road were operating unchecked, even though the Punjab and Sindh HOTAs would never have allowed such illegal practices.” The federal ministry, following the results of the investigation, confirmed an ongoing internal investigation and said that they were going to forward the case to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for a criminal probe.

A senior official within the National Health Services (NHS) confirmed that the investigation into the unauthorised transplants had resulted in the submission of 22 suspect requests, which are now under further scrutiny. Additionally, the NHS has called for an investigation into the role of HOTA officials and staff in allowing these illegal transplants.

As the probe deepens, there is growing concern over the future of organ transplantation practices in the country, particularly given the risks associated with unregulated, illegal transplants.

Experts fear that the unchecked organ trade could lead to more widespread and dangerous consequences, including an increase in the prevalence of infectious diseases, complications from improper organ matching, and unethical practices that could put more lives at risk.

The lack of a permanent position for a competent official in the HOTA to oversee transplant regulation has further exacerbated the issue, with experts calling for urgent reforms. Pakistan’s challenge in tackling illegal kidney trade has now reached a critical point, and without rigorous regulation and transparency, the country could soon face an even larger crisis in its healthcare system.