A seven-member investigation committee has been appointed by the Ministry of Health to conduct a comprehensive investigation into reports of a reported organ transplant at a private hospital.
Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said a team including five specialist doctors has been appointed for this purpose under the leadership of a Deputy Director General of Health Services.
Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, has instructed the Secretary of the Ministry and the Director General of Health Services to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
The Director General said in order to carry out a stringent investigation specialists, a legal officer and an investigative officer have been appointed while inquiries are expected to take around a month.
Dr. Gunawardena said the role of the committee is to investigate the facts that have been shared on social media and to recommend steps that should be taken by the Health Ministry if such an illegal organ transplant has taken place.
He added that certain media reports claimed that a testicle transplant has taken place, which is not an approved transplant by the Ministry of Health, while experts believe that such transplants have not been carried out clinically or experimentally.
The Director General stated that organ transplants at the hospital have been temporarily suspended until a comprehensive investigation is conducted.
