A Ugandan national, who alleged that a Bengaluru hospital conducted a kidney transplant without his consent, has filed a complaint almost a year after the incident.
Twenty-four-year-old John Jogga Katamba lodged a complaint on June 15 against a Fortis hospital - Lalitha Healthcare Private Ltd in Seshadripuram - for an illegal transplant to an unrelated recipient. A total of 15 individuals and entities were named, including Watao Church, a Ugandan NGO, reported The Times of India.
The hospital however has refuted the allegations saying everything was done with Katamba’s consent and after taking other approvals. They said that even psychiatric consultation was provided.
Katamba in his complaint wrote: “I wanted to donate my kidney to a cousin, but she died of renal failure in Uganda. The NGO asked me to donate my kidney to a 16-year-old Ugandan, Kabuye William. They invoked God and promised to support my education. They brought me to India in December 2014.”
According to the newspaper report, he was first taken to Apollo Indraprastha hospital in Delhi, where they rejected the organ transplant, as there was incomplete documentation and because the donor and recipient were not related.
Katamba was later brought to Bengaluru along with a woman representative of the NGO who accompanied him at most times and allegedly claimed that she was his relative.
“The NGO took my passport and threatened me. I was trained to answer questions the authorisation committee might ask. A family tree was fabricated to support the documents,” he said.
His operation took place on March 17, 2015, exactly a day after the transplant authorisation committee approved the procedure. Since the operation, Katamba claims that he has not been able to return to normal life, reported TOI.
“My uncle helped me get in touch with a law firm in Bengaluru. I came here to file a complaint against the hospital and those involved in robbing my kidney. I never saw Kabuye William after the surgery. I don't even know if my kidney went to him,” said Katamba.
An FIR has been filed in the case.