The Gujarat High Court today sought city-based Institute of Kidney Disease and Research Centre's (IKDRC) response to a public interest litigation (PIL) which alleged it demands passports from patients from out of Gujarat for conducting kidney transplants.
IKDRC happens to be one of the biggest government-run hospitals for kidney-related ailments.
A division bench of the Gujarat High Court, comprising Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala asked the IKRDC authority to produce the 'circular' on the basis of which patients' passports are demanded for kidney transplants.
The Gujarat High Court acted on a PIL filed by city-based lawyer K M Paul who alleged the premiere kidney institute does not accept other government authorised proofs.
"Patients from out of the state (Gujarat), who come to Gujarat for kidney transplant, have to produce their passports since IKRDC insists that patients must do so. IKRDC does not accept other identification proofs like voter identity card, PAN Card, marriage certificate or school leaving certificate," the PIL said.
Arguing on behalf of IKRDC, advocate P G Desai said the hospital authorities have formed an "authorisation committee" which deals with kidney transplant issues, as per certain "norms" constituted by it.
Responding to this argument, the Gujarat High Court bench asked the IRKDC to provide details of all those norms pertaining to kidney transplant issues and posted the case for further hearing on June 19.
Earlier, K M Paul had challenged the IRKDC's action and said it would only lead to harassment and hardships for poor patients. He had also blamed the IRKDC's authorities for discriminating against patients who come from outside Gujarat.
