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Put details of organ transplant facilities in public domain: Info panel tells JJ Hospital

The order was passed on January 11 by state chief information commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad following an application made by Andheri resident RP Yajurvedi Rao. In August last year, Rao had sought details of patients who have undergone organ transplant in the JJ Group of Hospitals.

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Soon you will be able to compare the facilities that state-run hospitals have vis-a-vis those in private hospitals for organ transplant. The state information commission has asked JJ Hospital to provide details of organ and kidney transplant to an applicant and put it up online. The order has to be implemented by February 2.

The order was passed on January 11 by state chief information commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad following an application made by Andheri resident RP Yajurvedi Rao. In August last year, Rao had sought details of patients who have undergone organ transplant in the JJ Group of Hospitals.

Besides, Rao also sought details on the facilities provided for organ transplant, specialty-wise name of doctors who can carry out transplants, when were they appointed, list of patients who have undergone kidney transplant, those who are yet to undergo kidney transplant, list of causalities and their reasons among others.

While the public information officer (PIO) did not provide any information, the first appellate authority (FAA) stated that since the applicant was not present, the application was disposed of.

Taking a serious view of the FAA's order, the commission stated that without "application of mind" the FAA disposed of the appeal and this does not reflect well on its seniority. Slapping a show-cause notice on the PIO, it asked why he should not be fined.

"I had filed the application to know what is the status of transplantation facility in the JJ Group Hospitals which is looking for a Rs800-crore boost. The existing facility there is no exposure to students or medical fraternity.

Training is not available. It looks as if the entire transplantation thing will be more or less with the private sector. Since the last 20 years, private colleges have monopolised MBBS and other things. The trend will only grow.

What will happen to the poor is what I wanted to understand. They cannot afford private hospitals and government hospitals are their only hope. I wanted to check the expertise they have and how will they be developing it further," said Rao.

The commission observed that the information sought is of public interest and should have been given to public as suo motu disclosure by the hospital. The commission directed the dean of the hospital to provide the information by February 2 and also put it in public domain/website.

When contacted, Dr Tatya Lahane, dean of the hospital, said, "We will implement the order. We have already given some information to the applicant."

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