Hyderabad: Investigation into the kidney racket involving staff members of the Continental Hospital, Nanakramguda, has revealed the startling fact that the gang leader of the kidney trade in Bangladesh had struck a “facilitation” agreement with Continental Hospital to expand its patient base.
Tareque Azam Choudhary of Choto Hossainpur Rajganj in Begumganj Upazila of Noakhali district in Bangladesh, was arrested in September 2011, in Dhaka, and charged with collecting kidneys from 30 poor Bangladeshi persons and selling them to patients in Singapore, Chennai and Vellore.
In July 2016, Continental Hospitals Limited signed an agreement with “health care facilitator” Tareque Azam to pay him 20 per cent of the treatment bill as a “facilitation fee”.
The agreement said that Mr Azam is in the medical tourism industry and provides a diverse range of health care facilitation services, including sending patients to medical institutions, aiding travel and accommodation arrangements, organising payments of treatment and diagnosis. In the agreement, the hospital agreed to indemnify and hold Mr Azam harmless against any claims or suits brought by any third party against Continental Hospital arising out of the obligations under the agreement. The agreement was signed by Gokul Prem Kumar, the GM of International Marketing of Continental Hospital. The agreement came under the scrutiny of the police and Directorate of Medical Education and the Gachibowli police issued an FIR under the Human Organ Transplantation Act, accusing three staffers of Continental Hospital, including Gokul Prem Kumar, of cheating and forgery.
Kidney scamster placed ads to lure donors
Asked to comment on the matter, Gokul Prem Kumar, the general manager of International Marketing of Continental Hospi-tal, told this newspaper that at the time of signing the agreement he was not aware of Mr Azam’s background in selling kidneys.
“We were not aware of his background when we entered into an agreement with him. After four or five transplantations facilitated by him, we came to know about his background and stopped dealing with him. In February, the City Task Force also enquired about him. However, as an individual I am not supposed to communicate (with you). The hospital communications department will give complete details.”
According to investigations, Tareque Azam alias Bablu Chowdhury has been a key figure in the illegal kidney business in Dhaka and Joypurhat district in Bangladesh since 2006. He had arranged transplants for around 30 persons, receiving Rs 3-4 lakh taka per transplant, while the kidney donor was paid only a paltry sum.
He was arrested by the Dhaka police on September 8, 2011, and a case was booked against him by the Kalaiupazila police in Joypurhat.
It was alleged that he had inserted an advertisement stating that his cousin needed a kidney donor and then lured those who came forward into selling their kidneys.
