Thursday, April 03, 2008 Mayor tells DOH to read papers on kidney selling
M'LANG Mayor Lito Piñol advised officials of the Department of Health (DOH) in Southern Mindanao to read newspapers and listen to television newscasts so they could be updated about the issues concerning their office.
This after officials of DOH-Southern Mindanao denied ever receiving reports or complaints about the alleged "unethical" kidney transplant operations in local hospitals by some doctors.
In a text message, Piñol said DOH officials should read newspapers and TV as the story has been circulating for some time now. He added that they have already informed DOH Central Mindanao about the incident and had requested them to advice the Southern Mindanao health office.
Piñol said last week that about 10 M'lang residents admitted having donated their kidney to opulent patients in exchange for P200,000. He said doctors from a private hospital in Davao City facilitated the operation and payment.
Ana Remolar, information officer of DOH Southern Mindanao, in an interview Tuesday said they have not received any report on the sale or trade of kidneys.
"Not even a phone call, or anyone has reported to us," Remolar said.
Remolar also discounted the possibility of a "black market" in Davao City as the one behind the trade of kidneys.
The health department said they have no longer monitored the number of kidney transplants being conducted in Davao City, as the doctors would directly report it to the National Kidney Transplant Institute (NKTI), instead of coursing it through the health department. (BOT)
