16 December 2022 05:38 pm Views - 2874
While denying any involvement with organ trafficking or the smuggling of organs, the Western Infirmary Hospital has filed a writ petition in Court of Appeal challenging the Health Ministry's decision to temporarily suspend organ transplantation surgeries at the hospital.
Founder and Chairman of Western Infirmary Hospital Prof. Rezvi Sheriff and Western Infirmary Hospital filed this petition seeking an order in the nature of a writ of Mandamus compelling the Director General of Health Services to permit the performance of the surgeries already approved at the hospital.
Meanwhile, Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola issued an order directing the Director General of Health Services to look into the wellbeing of two kidney patients who originally treated at the Western Hospital.
This petition is to be taken up for support on January 16. Prof. Rezvi Sheriff said he was instrumental in performing the first ever kidney transplant in Sri Lanka in October 1985, and has performed over 1000 kidney transplants on patients.
The Petitioner further State that all Kidney transplants undertaken by the Western Hospital, are undertaken following the clear, transparent and established legal procedures.
The petitioner stated that entire incident, including kidney racket and the extortion of moneys were in pursuance of an orchestrated, manipulative media agenda.
The Petitioner state that following the Easter Sunday bombings, his infirmary has on multiple occasion been targeted by numerous fallacious allegations, which had thereafter come to naught.
The Petitioner reiterated that the hospital at all times followed all guidelines, and procedures laid down by the Ministry of Health, and have only ever undertaken kidney transplants upon approval being granted by the Ministry.
Faizer Musthapha PC with counsel Shaheeda Barrie , Pulasthi Rupasinghe, Hafeel Farisz, Ridmi Beneragama instructed by Neelakandan and Neelakandan appeared for the petitioner. (Lakmal Sooriyagoda)